'One spark and we'll have another Piper Alpha on our hands': Naked flame that threatens repeat of Britain's deadliest rig disaster is still alight on 'well from hell'

• The Piper Alpha explosion off Aberdeen in July 1988, was the world's worst off-shore oil disaster, killing 167
  
• Leak could take six months to stem due to pressure below North Sea rig
  
• Flare burning excess gas still alight after three days
  
• Exclusion zone set up for ships and planes around the Elgin Total platform
• Texan 'Hellfighters' who tackled Deepwater Horizon disaster 'called in'

By Jamie Mcginnes and Paul Sims

PUBLISHED: 10:16 GMT, 28 March 2012 | UPDATED: 08:53 GMT, 29 March 2012

A naked flame that could spark a repeat of Britain's deadliest rig disaster is still burning - and it could take days to go out.

Firefighting ships surround the leak site at the Elgin platform 149 miles off Aberdeen as a precaution against the flare igniting a cloud of explosive gas.
Rig owner Total said the gas cloud is at a much lower height than the flare at the top of the platform tower.

A spokesman added: 'We have a high level of confidence that the flame will go out in the next couple of days. We made a decision when the platform was abandoned to depressurise the platform. We prioritised human life, it was more important to get people out.

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2121457/North-Sea-gas-leak-...