Gas leak from underwater pipeline causes fire in Gulf of Mexico, report says – CNET [CNET]

A gas leak from an underwater pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico led to a raging fire on the ocean’s surface Friday, Reuters reported. The fire, which burned west of Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula, was extinguished hours later, state oil company Pemex told the publication. Pemex didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment. 

Twitter user Manuel Lopez San Martin shared videos of the fire, including a shot of boats working to put out the flames.

The fire started in an underwater pipeline connecting to a platform at Pemex’s Ku Maloob Zaap oil development, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Workers controlled the fire using nitrogen, one source said. Reportedly there were no injuries.  

An incident report shared with Reuters reportedly said, “The turbomachinery of Ku Maloob Zaap’s active production facilities were affected by an electrical storm and heavy rains.” Pemex told Reuters it would investigate what led to the incident.