A fire that destroyed the crew barracks on the Baker platform, flared up briefly Friday but was quickly surpressed.
The offshore natural gas platform caught fire during a safety meeting Thursday and crews spent several hours battling to keep the blaze from hitting the production areas of the platform before gaining control of the blaze.
The four Hilcorp Alaska, LLC. crew members aboard the platform were evacuated — no injuries were reported.
A unified command group of the United States Coast Guard, Hilcorp Alaska, LLC., and the Alaska Departmetn of Environmental Conservation worked Friday to determine whether the platform was safe enough for investigators to board.
A 2 mile maritime safety zone remains in effect around the Baker platform, according to a media release from the unified command.
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Paul Mehler III told the Associated Press that the flare-up may have been caused by a water hose hitting electrical wires on the platform.
Responders from the Nikiski Fire Department used heat sensing equipment to find any remaining hotspots before the on-scene investigation was launched, according to the release.
“While the exact cause of the fire has not be determined, personnel aboard the platform confirmed it began in the living quarters,” according to the release.
The Nikiski Fire Department, ADEC, Coast Guard, CISPRI and Offshore Marine Services have joined Hilcorp in fighting the fire, observing its affects and investigating the causes.
Metson Offshore, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Thanasi Randopoulos said the Metson-owned and operated Endeavor were the first to respond to the fire, along with other CISPRI resources — they have since ceased finished firefighting operations.
“It’s done,” Randopoulos said. “Now Hilcorp’s doing an investigation.”
Reach Rashah McChesney at rashah.mcchesney@peninsulaclarion.com. Associated press material was used in this article.
