"The fire that severely damaged a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico subsided Thursday as sand and mud stopped up a natural gas well that blew out earlier this week, federal regulators said."
"The blaze erupted Tuesday aboard the rig, located about about 60 miles off Grand Isle, Louisiana, in 154 feet of water. What remained Thursday was a small flame "fueled by residual gas at the top of the well," the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reported.
The accident happened when workers aboard the Hercules 265 hit an unexpected pocket of gas while preparing the well for production. Forty-four workers were evacuated from the rig without injury, officials said."
Matt Smith and Michael Pearson report for CNN July 25, 2013.
SEE ALSO:
"Offshore Regulation Critic in Middle of Latest Gulf Well Blowout" (fuelFix)
"Critic Of Offshore Drilling Safety Regulation Helps Run Company That Owns Failed Natural Gas Rig" (Think Progress)
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