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Evacuation after fire on oil rig Evacuation after fire on oil rig
(40 minutes later)
Thirty four people have been moved from an oil rig off Whitby, North Yorkshire, after a fire broke out on board. Thirty four people were evacuated from an oil platform off Whitby, North Yorkshire, after fire broke out.
They were taken off the Energy Enhancer, about 70 miles out in the North Sea, after smoke was discovered in the accommodation area. Helicopters lifted them from the Energy Enhancer, 73 miles out in the North Sea, to a standby vessel after smoke was noticed in the accommodation area.
A further 45 crew remain on board. It was confirmed at 0230 GMT that the fire had been put out. A further 45 essential staff remain on board. It was confirmed at 0230 BST that the fire had been put out.
The operation was co-ordinated by Humber Coastguard, with help from the RAF at Kinloss in Moray. The operation was co-ordinated by Humber Coastguard, with help from the RAF at Leconfield and Boulmer.
A coastguard spokesman said: "The problem began earlier today when a small fire was thought to have been contained in the accommodation area, but smoke and a strong heat source was detected late on Saturday night and crew were noticing smoke.
"A decision was made to evacuate 34 non-essential crew from the platform and 45 crew members remain on board."