Flames that dominated a southeast Houston suburb subsided Tuesday, but the fire was still burning after a gas pipeline explosion occurred when a vehicle drove through a Walmart parking lot fence and hit an above-ground valve, authorities said.
“Progress has been made as first responder crews worked throughout the night. The fire is significantly smaller,” the City of Deer Park said in a statement.
The city added that Energy Transfer, the Dallas-based owner of the pipeline, expects the fire to be extinguished later Tuesday.
City officials said police and FBI agents had found no preliminary evidence to suggest a coordinated or terrorist attack, and said it “appears to be an isolated incident,” but did not provide details on how they reached that conclusion.
Investigators are trying to learn more about the driver of the vehicle. The car was incinerated by the explosion, which scorched the ground over a wide radius, severed nearby power lines, melted playground equipment and set fire to nearby homes. More than 24 hours after the explosion, the driver had still not been publicly identified.
Authorities did not provide any information on the driver’s condition. Deer Park spokeswoman Kaitlyn Bluejacket said four people were injured, but did not provide details on the severity of the injuries. Authorities added that one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
The fire sent orange flames and then black smoke hundreds of feet into the air, prompting authorities to evacuate nearly 1,000 homes. On Tuesday, the city of La Porte said it had slightly reduced the evacuation zone south of the fire, but did not say how many people were affected.
Operators shut off the flow of natural gas liquids after the explosion rocked homes and businesses in Deer Park and the adjacent suburb of La Porte shortly before 10 a.m. Monday. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said 20 miles (32 kilometers) of pipeline stretched between the two closed valves and all the chemicals inside needed to burn off before the fire would stop.
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Associated Press writers Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Valerie Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas, Sean Murphy and Ken Miller in Oklahoma City and Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed to this report.
– What caused the gas pipeline explosion in the southeast Houston suburb?
Table of Contents
Houston Suburb Fire: Investigation Underway After Gas Pipeline Explosion
A massive fire that broke out in a southeast Houston suburb on Monday has been partially contained, but authorities are still working to fully extinguish the flames. The blaze was sparked when a vehicle drove through a Walmart parking lot fence and struck an above-ground gas pipeline valve, causing a devastating explosion.
UPDATE: Progress Made in Containing the Fire
According to a statement from the City of Deer Park, “progress has been made as first responder crews worked throughout the night. The fire is significantly smaller.” Energy Transfer, the Dallas-based owner of the pipeline, expects the fire to be fully extinguished later on Tuesday.
Investigation Ongoing
While authorities have made progress in containing the fire, they are still working to determine the cause of the incident. City officials have stated that there is no evidence to suggest a coordinated or terrorist attack, and the incident appears to be isolated. However, officials have not provided further details on how they reached this conclusion.
Driver Still Unidentified
One of the key questions surrounding the incident is the identity of the driver of the vehicle that struck the pipeline valve. Unfortunately, more than 24 hours after the explosion, the driver has still not been publicly identified. The vehicle was incinerated in the blast, making it difficult for investigators to retrieve any information from the remains.
Casualties and Injuries
The explosion and subsequent fire resulted in four people being injured, although the severity of their injuries has not been disclosed. Additionally, one firefighter suffered minor injuries while responding to the incident.
Evacuation Efforts
The fire prompted authorities to evacuate nearly 1,000 homes in the surrounding area. While the city of La Porte has slightly reduced the evacuation zone south of the fire, many residents remain displaced.
Cleanup and Recovery Efforts
The explosion and fire have left a trail of destruction in their wake. The blast scorched the ground over a wide radius, severed nearby power lines, melted playground equipment, and set fire to nearby homes. Authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage and develop a plan for recovery and rebuilding.
Prevention and Safety Measures
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of pipeline safety and prevention measures. Energy Transfer and other pipeline operators must prioritize the safety of their infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The gas pipeline explosion in southeast Houston has left a community shaken and displaced. As authorities work to fully extinguish the fire and investigate the incident, residents are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Keyword: Gas pipeline explosion, Houston suburb, Deer Park, La Porte, Energy Transfer, pipeline safety, prevention measures.
Meta Description: A devastating gas pipeline explosion in a southeast Houston suburb has left a community reeling. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments and investigation into the incident.
Header Tags:
H1: Houston Suburb Fire: Investigation Underway After Gas Pipeline Explosion
H2: UPDATE: Progress Made in Containing the Fire
H2: Investigation Ongoing
H2: Driver Still Unidentified
H2: Casualties and Injuries
H2: Evacuation Efforts
H2: Cleanup and Recovery Efforts
H2: Prevention and Safety Measures
* H2: Conclusion
– What caused the gas pipeline explosion in the Houston suburb?
Houston Suburb Fire: Investigation Underway After Gas Pipeline Explosion
A massive fire that broke out in a southeast Houston suburb on Monday has been partially contained, but authorities are still working to fully extinguish the flames. The blaze was sparked when a vehicle drove through a Walmart parking lot fence and struck an above-ground gas pipeline valve, causing a devastating explosion.
UPDATE: Progress Made in Containing the Fire
According to a statement from the City of Deer Park, “progress has been made as first responder crews worked throughout the night. The fire is significantly smaller.” Energy Transfer, the Dallas-based owner of the pipeline, expects the fire to be fully extinguished later on Tuesday.
Investigation Ongoing
While authorities have made progress in containing the fire, they are still working to determine the cause of the incident. City officials have stated that there is no evidence to suggest a coordinated or terrorist attack, and the incident appears to be isolated. However, officials have not provided further details on how they reached this conclusion.
Driver Still Unidentified
One of the key questions surrounding the incident is the identity of the driver of the vehicle that struck the pipeline valve. Unfortunately, more than 24 hours after the explosion, the driver has still not been publicly identified. The vehicle was incinerated in the blast, making it difficult for investigators to retrieve any information from the remains.
Casualties and Injuries
The explosion and subsequent fire resulted in four people being injured, although the severity of their injuries has not been disclosed. Additionally, one firefighter suffered minor injuries while responding to the incident
