Pipeline Explosion in Houston Suburb Forces Evacuations Due to Fire

LA PORTE, Texas — A large pipeline fire erupted in suburban Houston on Monday, sending a towering plume of flames into the sky for over two hours. In response to the dangerous situation, emergency responders evacuated nearby neighborhoods where several homes caught fire.

The incident started at 9:55 a.m. following a powerful explosion that shook homes in Deer Park and La Porte, located approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston, a region known for its significant energy infrastructure.

Witnesses described the chaos that ensued. Geselle Melina Guerra, a 25-year-old La Porte resident, was having breakfast with her boyfriend when the blast occurred. Hearing a loud bang around 9:30 a.m., Guerra initially thought it could have been a plane crash. “I see something bright, like orange, coming from our back door that’s outside,” she recounted, reflecting on her immediate panic.

Her boyfriend, Jairo Sanchez, 26, quickly woke his brother as they tried to figure out their next steps. “I was just freaking out, pacing around the living room, not really knowing what to do or what was happening,” Guerra said, noting the fear that gripped them as they fled their home.

According to city spokesperson Lee Woodward, the exact contents of the pipeline that caught fire remain unknown, complicating efforts to stop the blaze. As an added precaution, local schools advised students to shelter in place amidst the chaos. Law enforcement established a wide cordon around the area to keep bystanders at a safe distance.

Geographic data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that at least one gas transmission pipeline and another carrying hazardous liquids run through the impacted area. Additionally, there is another gas pipeline traversing a residential neighborhood nearby along Spencer Highway, a thoroughfare in Deer Park and La Porte.

As of now, the cause of the fire has not been determined. Houston is home to numerous refineries and pipelines, leading to frequent explosions and fires, raising concerns about public safety and environmental risks. Many residents have grown accustomed to such incidents, yet this particular event was unprecedented for some.

Footage captured by KTRK showed significant damage to a park close to the fire, while firefighters worked tirelessly to combat flames licking the roofs of nearby homes. By noon, several structures appeared to be engulfed in flames, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky, with local businesses, including a Walmart, also at risk.

Sanchez expressed that although living near industrial plants has led to previous evacuations, he had never experienced an explosion in the ten years he has resided in the area. “We just drove as far as we could because we didn’t know what was happening,” he said from a nearby gas station.

Officials ordered residents in the Brookglen neighborhood to evacuate, emphasizing the need for people to stay clear of the area. Woodward advised the public to follow law enforcement instructions and await further updates as they became available.

Nearby high-voltage power lines added to the concerns, with reports indicating that several thousand customers in Harris County were without electricity due to the incident. CenterPoint Energy noted that the fire was not related to their natural gas operations and emphasized their cooperation with first responders on-site.

“Putting safety first, the public should avoid this area until further notice from local emergency officials. Once it is deemed safe, our electric crews will enter the area to assess damage to our transmission and distribution power lines and begin restoring service as quickly and safely as possible,” the company stated.