"PERTH, Australia -- A huge fire has been blazing at an oil rig in the Timor Sea since Sunday, after an attempt by the oil company to kill a leaking well. The West Atlas rig is located directly above the Montara well head platfrom, which has been leaking oil and gas since August 21.

The fire at the West Atlas rig broke out Sunday morning shortly after the company, PTTEP Australasia, intercepted the leaking oil well by drilling a relief well with a second rig, the West Triton.

Well kill operations were under way at the time, but were suspended due to safety concerns."

Environment News Service had the story November 2, 2009. [2]