(Reuters) -An offshore pipeline explosion near Venice, Louisiana, in Plaquemines Parish killed one person on Saturday, according to a statement from Louisiana State Police.
“The explosion resulted in the death of 40-year-old Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles … The pipelines have been blocked, and one remains on fire, burning the remaining natural gas in the line,” the statement said.
The statement did not identify the operator of the gas pipeline.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Nichols was operating a mud boat near a natural gas pipeline. For reasons still under investigation, an explosion and fire occurred while Nichols was believed to be working on the pipeline, according to police.
“Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report of an explosion and fire, Saturday evening, near South Pass, Louisiana,” the U.S. Coast Guard said in an email on Monday.
“The Coast Guard launched a Coast Guard Station Venice boatcrew and a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans aircrew to search,” it added.