28 Workers Evacuated from Burning Oil Platform off Louisiana

zoom An oil production platform in Breton Sound Block 21, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, caught fire in the early hours of Friday, May 22, the US Coast Guard reports. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 2:50 am local time from the offshore supply vessel Miss Katherine reporting a fire on board the platform. All 28 people aboard the platform were evacuated to the offshore supply vessel and were taken to Venice. No injuries were reported. At approximately 6 am responding crews boarded the platform and extinguished the flame. Clean up and repair operations have commenced. The Coast Guard air crews reported a 1.4 nautical mile rainbow sheen which is reportedly dissipating and moving away from the Breton Island Wildlife Refuge. Spill response equipment and personnel, including boom and skimmers, are on scene as a precaution to help protect the Breton National Wildlife Refuge. There was no shoreline impact or injury to wildlife reported. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The platform is owned and operated by Texas Petroleum Investment Co. Image: USCG