Two Fire Outbreaks Preceded Ignition on SSBN Yekaterinburg

15.03.2012 Prior to the fire happened to Project 667BDRM nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) K-84 Yekaterinburg on Dec 29, 2011, there were two fire outbreaks at the work area near sonar head – at noon and about 1 pm. The shipwrights managed to prevent the fire by expedient means, but at 4.20 pm they failed to contain it, an informed source in defense industry told Central Navy Portal.

The flame on SSBN Yekaterinburg was brought under control only on the next day with the assistance of EMERCOM assets and semi-flooding of the dock. Nine persons suffered during the fire extinguishing operation (EMERCOM rescuers and the sub's crewmembers); they were hospitalized in Severomorsk. The sufferers were intoxicated by combustion products trapped in Skat-BDRM sonar enclosure through cracks in the sonar head damaged one year ago, and by combustion products of rubber coating.

Being the ignition cause, hot works were arranged for off-nominal sealing of a breach in fiberglass sonar head; the breach was a result of leaning on the quay one year ago. The fire aroused particular public concern because of nuclear-warheaded ballistic missiles R-29 Sineva on board the submarine. Torpedoes with conventional warheads were on board the sub as well.

JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center evaluated repair of SSBN Yekaterinburg as RUR 530 mln. Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case. Vice premier Dmitry Rogozin stated that the inquiry into the incident would be completed by the end of Feb 2012; however, no new information has been officially published so far. At present, SSBN Yekaterinburg is moored at her basing site in Gadzhievo without missiles on board. It is planned to start repair works in June.