Four Evacuated After Fire on Gas Platform

Published Oct 2, 2014 8:30 PM by The Maritime Executive

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a fire on board a natural gas drill platform in Cook Inlet, Alaska, which broke out on Thursday.

The Coast Guard diverted a Coast Guard Hercules HC-130 crew and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew to conduct an overflight of Hilcorp's Baker Platform in Cook Inlet, near Nikiski. The Coast Guard also launched the Coast Guard Cutter Mustang and the diverted the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR to the location.

A five-mile, no-fly safety zone at 5,000 feet and a two-mile safety zone have been established around the platform. The fire is believed to have originated in the living quarters. Firefighting efforts are continuing, and the fire is believed to be under control. There is around 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel on the platform but no reports of pollution so far.

All four people aboard the platform have now been safety evacuated.

"Our goal is to mitigate any potential risk to the environment," said Commander Shane Montoya, the Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinator and acting Coast Guard Sector Anchorage commander. "We will work closely with all parties involved to establish a unified command."

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