Fire at North Sea oil rig prompts evacuation

LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) Crew from a North Sea offshore drilling rig were evacuated today after a fire broke out in one of its engine rooms, officials said.

Civilian helicopters lifted 32 of the 87 crew to safety from the Ocean Guardian semi-submersible rig, located 200 km northeast of the Scottish port city of Aberdeen, said a spokeswoman from Britain's Royal Air Force.

The rig's owner, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc, said there were no reports of injuries.

''We believe the fire is extinguished and under control. We are still monitoring the situation. All personnel are accounted for,'' said Gary Krenek, the company's senior vice president and chief financial officer.

He said the rig usually had about 100 people on board and that it does not produce any oil or natural gas.

The Houston, Texas-based company said the fire had not damaged the offshore well that the rig was digging for Canada-based Oilexco Inc.

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