Offshore rig fire forces 55 to evacuate

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A fire broke out on a 504-foot gas-drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico Friday, forcing 55 workers to evacuate to life rafts, the Coast Guard said.

Petty Officer Kyle Niemi said there were no injuries or pollution and the fire was out on the Ocean King rig, which was about 30 miles south of Grand Isle, La.

"All 55 crew members were able to escape in life rafts and they are safe," he said.

The fire broke out about 9:20 a.m. on the mobile jack-up drilling rig owned by Houston-based Diamond Offshore Drilling, which operates about 30 rigs in the Gulf.

The 55 workers were transported to another nearby rig, the Ocean Star, said Lynn Charles, vice president of human resources at Diamond Offshore.

"They are all safe on board," he said.

Workers took immediate safety precautions to close down the well before evacuating the platform, the Coast Guard said.

A team from the Coast Guard marine safety office in Morgan City, La., was investigating the cause of the accident.