A pipeline explosion in Texas has caused widespread disruptions and prompted evacuations.
“Authorities have been responding since 10 a.m. Monday to a pipeline explosion near Spencer Highway and Summerton that started in Deer Park and spread to La Porte,” ABC13 reports.
“The Fire Department is advising residents to evacuate the area between Luella and Canada,” FOX 26 Houston stated.
Harris County Hazmat responded to the scene.
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LA PORTE, Texas (AP) – Firefighters were battling a pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday, forcing people in the surrounding neighborhood to evacuate.
The fire began at 9:55 a.m. in La Porte, located about 25 miles (40… pic.twitter.com/BzXa2YavU1— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) September 16, 2024
A pipeline burst in La Porte, Texas Monday. This is the view of the massive fire erupting from the ground. Neighbors have been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/T3ZsaknmIe
— Channing Frampton (@Channing_TV) September 16, 2024
ABC13 reports:
The explosion started in Deer Park and then spread south under Spencer Highway to La Porte, as the highway separates Deer Park to the north and La Porte to the south.
The flames grew at one point, creating smaller grass fires that crews are working to keep under control.
According to Harris County Property Records, the fire is happening on or right near a CenterPoint – owned property.
“CenterPoint Energy is monitoring the incident on Spencer Highway in LaPorte, which 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,” CenterPoint told ABC13 in a statement.
“Energy Transfer confirmed the pipeline belongs to the company,” ABC13 noted.
Energy Transfer owns the pipeline that is burning in La Porte.
“The line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out. We have no timeline at this point on how long that process will take.” – Energy Transfer pic.twitter.com/2Go4xKnfUA
— Sally MacDonald (@SallyMacFox26) September 16, 2024
WATCH LIVE: A pipeline fire near Spencer Highway and Summerton has caused major disruptions. https://t.co/GXZJeVV3AK
— FOX 7 Austin (@fox7austin) September 16, 2024
Per FOX 26 Houston:
A pipeline fire near Spencer Highway and Summerton has caused major disruptions in La Porte. The incident, affecting a 20-inch natural gas liquids pipeline, was reported this morning.
Energy Transfer, the pipeline operator, has confirmed there are no injuries. The operator says the pipeline has been isolated to allow the residual product to safely burn off. A timeline for this process is not yet available.
Preliminary reports suggest that an unknown passenger car may have entered the right-of-way and struck the valve location, potentially causing the fire. Air monitoring equipment is being set up to further assess the situation.
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