At 1000 EDT on October 20, 2020, a thermal event occurred inside a hot cell at the
Curium facility in Noblesville,
Indiana. The thermal event did not result in a chemical or radioactive material release. Prior to the incident, technicians were processing materials containing
strontium 82 and 85 (quantities are unknown at this time). The pressure created by the reaction caused the rear door of the hot cell to open approximately eight inches and was immediately shut by the technicians. There is no contamination outside of the hot cell and there were no injured or contaminated personnel. The vessel containing the
strontium material was observed to be intact and the resultant fire was extinguished by the hot cell's suppression system. No offsite fire assistance was required. Personnel have not accessed the hot cell due to elevated dose rates. Dose rates outside of the hot cell are within the facility's normal limits and historical averages.