DEER PARK, Texas – Firefighters in Deer Park are working a frightening situation as heavy flames intensify at a pipeline and emergency officials are recommending people in the area to evacuate.
PHOTOS: Sky 2 aerials show large pipeline fire in La Porte
It’s unclear what caused the fire, but La Porte Office of Emergency Management said it began shortly before 10 a.m. on Spencer Highway.
The Deer Park officials did confirm the pipeline is owned by Energy Transfer and the cause is under investigation but the chemical burning is described as Chemical Y Grade NGL (liquid natural gas).
One firefighter has been treated for minor injuries.
Due to the fire, Spencer Highway is closed in both directions and the areas surrounding Walmart and H-E-B are currently blocked off to traffic. Residents are asked to avoid the area.
Major evacuations have also been ordered for Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway between Luella and Canada Road, the Brookglen neighborhood area.
Deer Park officials have set up a temporary reunification site at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center on Thirteenth Street for evacuees. The Faithbridge Church on Center Street is also being used as a shelter for those affected by the pipeline fire.
During a livestream from emergency crews responding to the fire in Deer Park, various levels of evacuation were ordered. Some homes are currently too hot for residents to return, and officials anticipate the pipeline fire will continue to burn for hours as first responders work to bring the situation under control.
“The fire is contained within a set perimeter, but it will take several hours for the product to burn off,” said Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr.
Mouton also mentioned that evacuations have occurred for surrounding businesses, including H-E-B and Walmart and two schools, Heritage Elementary and College Park Elementary.
A shelter has been established at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center for evacuees, and multiple fire departments including the Deer Park, Pasadena, and La Porte, are working together to manage the situation.
Despite efforts to control the fire, the intense heat has caused nearby homes to catch fire. According to officials, approximately five homes are in close proximity to the fire and are at risk. Firefighters are working to prevent these homes from catching fire by continuously spraying water on them.
Addressing the concerns of residents unable to return home, Mouton expressed his empathy for those affected by the fire.
“It would be concerning to me if I were to know I couldn’t go home this evening,” he said.
Mouton reassured the community that officials, in coordination with the energy transfer company, are working to provide temporary accommodations for those displaced by the fire or potential power outages.
“Family is going to play a major role in giving places a short term for people that are displaced,” he added.
When asked about reports suggesting that the fire may have started due to a vehicle hitting the pipeline, officials remained cautious.
“There is a possibility,” said Mouton, “But we’re not going to comment on anything pertaining to the investigation. It’s very early in the narrative.”
He added that while they are aware of the vehicle’s presence, they will refrain from speculating until they have a clearer understanding of the situation after the fire is fully contained.
@nicolettelifts I hope everyone is OK. I know there’s a couple of houses and schools in the area. @KPRC 2 Click2Houston #deerpark #laporte #fire
A shelter-in-place was also issued for San Jacinto College. KPRC 2′s Joel Eisenbaum caught up with a student, who first heard the explosion ahead of the evacuations and shelter-in-place.
MORE: Shelter-in-place, evacuations issued for THESE areas due to pipeline fire in Deer Park
Harris County Hazmat as well as other resources from Harris County Fire Marshals Office are assisting in putting out the flames.
***SJC ALERT*** URGENT: SJC Central remains under shelter in place. No fire on campus. Emergency responders are on site. A shelter in place will remain for the San Jacinto College Central Campus until all clear is provided.
— San Jacinto College Office of Emergency Management (@ReadySanJac)
La Porte ISD also says all students in the schools located in the area are safe and sheltering in place.
CenterPoint Energy is also reporting a little over 700 customers in the area are without power. A spokesperson also confirmed the fire was not due to one of CenterPoint’s gas pipelines.
CONTINUOUS COVERAGE OF DEER PARK PIPELINE FIRE
To learn more about what may have caused the fire, KPRC 2 spoke with Bob Cavnar, an oil and gas expert who said it may have been caused by a crude line.
“The way the fire looks, the smoke, it looks like a product or a crude line and not natural gas,” he said. “Natural gas doesn’t tend to burn that dirty.”
As we got a live look of Sky 2 over the fire, however, Cavnar argued it could be a mechanical failure.
“They should be able to shut the pipeline off and they should be able to shut the pipeline off,” he explained. “I’m not sure why it’s been going this long unless they’re having a hard time getting to terminal valves.”
Safety inspectors with the Railroad Commission of Texas have also confirmed to KPRC 2 that they will be assisting in the investigation.