The world woke up to a nuclear scare as a fire broke out in a building at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe during a clash between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

 

Ukranian emergency services said they've managed to put out the fire at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, said a Reuters report.

 

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said there was no indication of elevated radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia plant, which provides more than a fifth of total electricity generated in Ukraine.

 

A video feed from the plant showed shelling and smoke rising near a building at the plant compound. The plant itself wasn't affected but it was feared that the fire could spread if it wasn't quickly contained.

 

Ukrainian emergency services said initially they were blocked from getting to the scene. But at 05:20 local time, firefighters were finally able to start tackling the fire, the report said.

 

It was extinguished about an hour later, Ukraine's Emergency Services said.

 

Mayor Dmytro Orlov of nearby Enerhodar had earlier said the fire was caused by "continuous enemy shelling"

 

Granholm said the reactors at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station "are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down".