Pipeline explodes, spreads fire in Houston suburb, forcing evacuations
LA PORTE, Texas – Firefighters were battling a massive pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday, forcing people in the surrounding neighborhood to evacuate as a giant plume of fire was shooting high up into the air.
The fire began at 9:55 a.m. in La Porte, located about 25 miles southwest of Houston. The plume of smoke could be seen from at least 10 miles away, and nearby there was a chemical smell in the air. There was no immediate word on whether anyone had been injured.
The blaze involving a 20-inch pipeline carrying natural gas liquids must burn itself out, according to its operator, Dallas-based Energy Transfer. The company said the gas flow was shut off but residual material inside could burn for hours to come.
Video images from KTRK-TV showed a park near the fire had been damaged and firefighters pouring water on adjacent homes. There are also several businesses nearby, including a Walmart.
Officials have ordered residents in the Brookglen neighborhood area near the fire to evacuate, Lee Woodward, a La Porte city spokesperson said in an email.
"Please avoid the area and follow law enforcement directions. Further details will be released as available," Woodward said.
Energy Transfer said in a statement that air monitoring equipment was being set up in the area.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The only injury reported so far was to a firefighter who sustained a minor injury, officials said.
Geselle Melina Guerra said she and her boyfriend heard an explosion at around 9:30 a.m. as they were having breakfast in their mobile home.
"All of a sudden we hear this loud bang and then I see something bright, like orange, coming from our back door that's outside," said Guerra, 25, who lives within the evacuation area.
Her boyfriend woke up his brother and they ran to their car.
"I was just freaking out, pacing around the living room, not really knowing what to do or what was happening," Guerra said. "I thought maybe it was an airplane that had crashed down by our house."
The Railroad Commission of Texas said its pipeline safety inspectors are investigating the fire, and working with state and local emergency responders at the scene.
There are several power lines near the fire. The website PowerOutage.us says that there are nearly 4,700 customers without power in Harris County.
CenterPoint Energy said it is monitoring the fire, which is near Spencer Highway in LaPorte. The company said the fire "is unrelated to the company's natural gas operations or equipment."
"We are also cooperating with first responders. Putting safety first, the public should avoid this area until further notice from local emergency officials. When it is safe to do so, our electric crews will go into the area to assess the damage to our transmission and distribution power lines, poles and equipment and begin restoring service to impacted customers as safely and quickly as possible."
