Feds investigating Gulf platform fire

NEW ORLEANS (KABC) -- The agency that oversees offshore drilling will investigate the fire on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Steve Lehmann in New Orleans said Friday morning that an 87-foot Coast Guard cutter patrolling the area has not reported any signs of leaks. A helicopter was to survey the site later in the day.

It was initially reported that oil was leaking from the Mariner Energy-owned platform. But hours later crews determined there was no spill.

The rig was located 90 miles south of Vermillion Bay, Louisiana.

The platform is connected to seven active wells, but they were shut down for maintenance at the time.

The 13 workers who were on the platform were rescued after jumping into the water.

Thursday's fire came less than five months after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that killed 11 people and spurred the worst offshore oil spill in the nation's history.

It's still unclear what caused the fire.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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environmental protection agency, environment, explosion, oil, oil spill, national news

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