IN THE GLARE OF A JET OF FLAME ROARING HUNDREDS OF FEET IN THE AIR, EXPERTS PREPARED FOR THE LONG TASK OF TRYING TO CONTROL A FIRE IN AN OIL WELL AT APARA, NEAT PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA, ON DECEMBER 25TH.

THE NIGHT BEFORE, DRILLERS AT THE SHELL-BP'S RIG STRUCK HIGH PRESSURE GAS AT A DEPTH OF 11,000 FEET. IT GOT OUT OF CONTROL, IGNITED AND BURST FROM THE RIG IN A TALL COLUMN OF FLAME.

ELABORATE SECURITY PRECAUTIONS WERE BROUGHT INTO FORCE IMMEDIATELY. NO LIVES WERE LOST ALTHOUGH ONE EUROPEAN WAS BURNED. ALL RESIDENTS OF THE AREA WERE EVACUATED AND BULLDOZERS CLEARED WIDE TRACKS ROUND THE BLAZING WALL.

AN EXPERT ON OIL FIRES HAS BEEN FLOWN TO THE SITE FROM HOLLAND TO HELP CHECK THE BLAZE WHICH HAS ALREADY COST OVER ONE-MILLION POUNDS. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS TO ENSURE A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF WATER DURING THE OPERATIONS. TWO MILLION GALLONS ARE REQUIRED A DAY AND A SPECIAL PIPELINE IS BEING LAID TO BRING IT FROM A NEARBY RIVER.