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Small fire breaks out at oil rig in Harland & Wolff

Fire engines at the scene of a minor fire at Harland & Wolff. Picture by Justin Kernoghan
Fire engines at the scene of a minor fire at Harland & Wolff. Picture by Justin Kernoghan Fire engines at the scene of a minor fire at Harland & Wolff. Picture by Justin Kernoghan

AN off-shore oil rig at Harland and Wolff had to be evacuated yesterday after a small fire.

The blaze broke out at the rig, which is being refurbished at the Belfast shipyard, while welding work was being done.

Firefighters were called to the minor fire, but it had already been extinguished by the Harland & Wolff fire watch on board.

A spokesman said all those evacuated returned to work within 40 minutes.

He added: "We would like to thank the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service for their rapid response and professionalism."

In January, it was announced that the shipyard had won a lucrative contract to refit the Byford Dolphin rig - one of the biggest oil rigs ever refurbished in Europe.