An explosion at an oil rig near New Orleans, Louisiana has left six people injured as firefighters battle the blaze at the facility, Fox news reported.

The US Coast Guard sent a small boat and a helicopter to the incident amid fears for one person who was declared missing following the explosion.

Of the accounted for victims five were said to be in a critical condition, while the other suffered lesser injuries.

The blast could be felt for miles around as the smell of burning rubber filled the air surrounding the lake.