By A pipeline explosion near Houston erupted into a towering flame on Monday, forcing evacuations and shelter-in-place orders as firefighters struggled to prevent nearby homes from burning.
The explosion occurred at a valve station in Deer Park, adjacent to La Porte, at approximately 9:55 a.m. local time. The 20-inch pipeline, owned by Dallas-based Energy Transfer, carries natural gas liquids used primarily in manufacturing plastics and chemicals.
Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. said operators have shut off the flow of natural gas liquids, but residual product in the pipeline continues to fuel the fire. Firefighters expect the blaze to burn for hours, possibly into Tuesday.
“The fire is very hot, so many adjacent house structures are still catching fire even though we’re putting a lot of water on them,” Mouton said.
Local authorities have not speculated on the cause of the fire, including the potential role of a burned car near the flame’s source. Energy Transfer acknowledged “early reports” of a car striking valve equipment but provided no further details.
The explosion has forced the evacuation of nearly 1,000 homes in the area, according to Lee Woodward, a spokesperson for La Porte. Several public schools implemented shelter-in-place orders as law enforcement cordoned off a wide area.
Geselle Melina Guerra, a resident within the evacuation zone, described the moment of the explosion: “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.”
Environmental Impact and Safety Concerns:
Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a petroleum engineering professor at the University of Houston, stated that allowing the fire to burn out is environmentally preferable to using suppressing agents. However, he noted that negative environmental consequences are inevitable, including the release of soot, carbons, and organic material.
Energy Transfer reported that air monitoring equipment is being set up near the plume of fire and smoke, visible from at least 10 miles away. Harris County Pollution Control stated that no volatile organic compounds had been detected as of Monday afternoon, though particulate matter from the smoke was at moderate levels.
The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of the extensive petrochemical infrastructure in the Houston area, which has seen similar explosions and fires in the past.
Ongoing Response:
One firefighter sustained a minor injury, the only reported casualty so far.
The fire has affected nearby power lines, with PowerOutage.us reporting that several thousand customers in Harris County experienced power outages at one point.
Krishnamoorti emphasized the need for thorough inspection and monitoring of the area’s extensive pipeline infrastructure for potential damage.
As the situation continues to develop, local authorities urge residents to follow evacuation orders and stay informed through official channels. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with the petrochemical industry and the importance of robust safety measures and emergency response protocols.
