Ocean is in flames in the Gulf of Mexico after a gas leak in an underwater pipeline sparked fire

The ocean off Mexico‘s Gulf Coast was up in flames Friday after a gas leak from an underwater pipeline sparked a fire on the surface of the water. 

Dramatic footage showed bright orange flames shooting up into the sky a short distance from a Pemex oil platform early Friday.

The blaze was dubbed an ‘eye of fire’ on social media due to its circular shape, while three ships were seen rushing to extinguish the blaze.

State oil company Pemex later confirmed the fire had been put out, blaming a gas leak from an underwater pipeline. 

Sources told Reuters the fire began in an underwater pipeline that connects to a platform at Pemex’s flagship Ku Maloob Zaap oil development, located just up from the southern rim of the Gulf of Mexico.

The gas leak ignited around 5:15am local time forcing the company to shut the valves of the 12-inch-diameter pipeline. 

Pemex said it had dispatched fire control boats to pump water over the flames while sources also said it was battled using nitrogen.

Three boats were seen dousing the circular fireball in water in aerial footage of the incident.    

The blaze was extinguished and the gas leak brought under control about five hours later, Pemex said.  

The oil company said the incident resulted in no injuries and that its production had not been affected due to the time of the leak.   

The company said it would investigate the cause of the incident.