'Slow-Moving Nightmare' Unfolds At Japan Nuclear Plant

This picture, released from Tokyo Electric Power Co. on Wednesday, shows damaged No.3 and No. 4 reactors at the Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Fukushima.

Expert says those working to prevent full-scale nuclear disaster 'may be throwing in the towel'

TOKYO — Workers were ordered to withdraw briefly from a stricken Japanese nuclear power plant on Wednesday after radiation levels surged, a development that suggested the crisis was spiraling out of control.

Just hours earlier another fire broke out at the earthquake-crippled facility, which has sent low levels of radiation wafting into Tokyo in the past 24 hours, triggering fear in the capital and international alarm.

Workers were trying to build a road so fire trucks could reach reactor No. 4 at the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex, 150 miles north of Tokyo.

Flames were no longer visible at the building housing the reactor, but TV pictures showed rising smoke or steam.

A helicopter was also preparing to pour water on to No. 3 reactor — whose roof was damaged by an earlier explosion — to try to cool its fuel rods, broadcaster NHK said.

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