NEW HILL, N.C. — Duke Energy officials say no radioactive materials were released when a fire broke out in electrical equipment at Harris Nuclear Plant near New Hill.

Officials say operators shut down the plant when an alert was declared Saturday morning. Smoke was seen, although no visible flames were detected.

State Public Safety Secretary Frank Perry says there’s no risk to public health or safety. Officials say the plant is in stable condition.

An alert is the second in increasing severity of four nuclear emergency classifications. This classification is used to describe conditions that require emergency response agencies to be in a heightened state of readiness but pose no threat to public safety.

The Harris Nuclear Plant is jointly owned by the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency and Duke Energy.