Workers airlifted off blazing rig

The blaze took hold in the turbine module of the remote Thistle Alpha platform, stationed 120 miles north-west of Shetland, just after 8am.

Seven helicopters, including two from Norway, and an RAF Nimrod were scrambled to rescue the crews from the rig as it sent up smoke and flames.

In all 116 out of the 159 people onboard were airlifted to safety on two neighbouring oil platforms, Thistle Alpha's operator Petrofac said.

The fire was put out by 10.45am and the rescue operation was scaled down. There were no casualties.

RAF Kinloss spokesman Michael Mulford said evacuating the workers was made difficult because weather conditions were "not great", with a strong north-westerly wind. "This is just about as remote as it gets - it's just five miles inside the UK search and rescue region," he added.

Petrofac, which operates Thistle Alpha for the Swedish company Lundin Petroleum, said only essential personnel remained on the rig.

"There were originally 159 personnel on board and 43 personnel remain on the platform. All are safe and well," it said in a statement. "All relevant authorities have been notified. A full investigation as to the cause of the fire is under way."

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspected Thistle Alpha in May and earlier this month, finding no serious problems.

HSE inspectors will visit the rig to carry out an investigation into the fire's cause as soon as the weather allows, a spokeswoman said.