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Fire Going Out, Gas Leak Blocked At Gulf Of Mexico Rig

"Natural gas has stopped flowing to a drilling rig on fire in the Gulf of Mexico," NPR's Jeff Brady tells our Newscast Desk.

As he reports:

"A drilling crew lost control of the well on Tuesday, then gas escaping from the well caught fire. No one was injured, but the flames heavily damaged a drilling rig owned by Houston-based Hercules Offshore.

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"The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement says the well -- after spewing gas for more than a day -- 'bridged over.' When an out-of-control well bridges over, small pieces of sediment and sand flow into the well path and block more gas from escaping.

"The agency says the fire has since decreased to a small flame, fueled by residual gas at the top of the well."

On Wednesday, NPR's Christopher Joyce told us: "Why The Latest Gulf Leak Is No BP Disaster."

Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Fire+