Fire on Platform Habitat evacuates 26 workers safely

A fire broke out Monday morning on Platform Habitat, an aging offshore natural gas platform undergoing decommissioning about eight miles southwest of Santa Barbara in the Santa Barbara Channel, prompting the safe evacuation of all 26 workers aboard.

The incident occurred around 7 a.m. as workers conducted operations on the nonoperational structure, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Officials said a gas leak ignited the blaze. Crews quickly closed a safety valve to halt the leak and limit the fire's spread. Firefighting teams extinguished the flames by about 11:40 a.m., Petty Officer Richard Uranga of the Coast Guard reported. Two workers suffered minor injuries, but all personnel were safely removed from the platform.

Responders established a 1,000-yard safety zone around the site to protect vessels and monitor for risks. Teams from the U.S. Coast Guard, Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara City Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department participated in the effort. Images from the Coast Guard showed vessels spraying water on the structure amid thick black and gray smoke. Some workers later returned to the platform for...