Pipeline Fire Forces Evacuations in Houston Suburbs \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A pipeline fire near Houston continued to burn for a third day on Wednesday after an SUV struck a valve on the pipeline, sparking the blaze. Officials say the fire could be extinguished by Thursday evening, with nearly 1,000 homes evacuated and air quality being closely monitored. Energy Transfer, the pipeline operator, is working on extinguishing the fire through specialized equipment while ensuring the safety of residents.
Houston Pipeline Fire: Quick Looks
- Incident: A fire erupted after an SUV hit a pipeline valve in Deer Park, Texas, causing evacuations.
- Cause: Details remain unclear, but officials believe the crash was an accident, ruling out terrorism.
- Extinguishing the fire: Crews are installing specialized equipment to isolate the fire and extinguish it by Thursday evening.
- Impact on residents: Nearly 1,000 homes were evacuated, but residents are being allowed to return, with no immediate air quality risks reported.
Deep Look
A pipeline fire near Deer Park, a suburb of Houston, Texas, continued to burn into its third day on Wednesday, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes and raising questions about the safety and environmental impact of the blaze. The fire, which ignited after an SUV driver struck an aboveground pipeline valve, is expected to burn until Thursday evening, according to officials overseeing the response.
What Caused the Fire?
The fire began on Monday when an SUV left the parking lot of a local Walmart, plowing through a fence and hitting a natural gas pipeline valve owned by Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based company. The pipeline runs underground through a grassy corridor near Deer Park and La Porte, Texas, and is part of a larger network of conduits transporting natural gas liquids.
While authorities have provided limited details regarding the incident, they have ruled out any terrorist attack, stating that initial investigations suggest it was an accident. The Deer Park police and FBI are continuing their investigation but cannot examine the area until the fire is extinguished.
The pipeline was protected by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire, but it remains unclear whether additional safety measures were in place. Energy Transfer has not commented on the extent of the protective measures around the valve equipment.
Who Owns the Pipeline?
The 20-inch-wide pipeline involved in the fire is operated by Energy Transfer, a major player in the energy industry known for its construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which has faced extensive protests and legal challenges in recent years.
Energy Transfer’s executive chairman, Kelcy Warren, has long been a supporter of Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, donating millions of dollars to his campaigns. The company said the fire has diminished but is continuing to “safely burn itself out.”
Efforts to Extinguish the Fire
Crews from Energy Transfer have been working since Monday to control the fire. The plan to extinguish the blaze involves installing specialized isolation equipment on both sides of the damaged section of the pipeline. The process requires several hours of welding, followed by purging the isolated section of the pipeline with nitrogen, which will snuff out the fire by displacing oxygen.
Once the nitrogen purge is complete, workers will repair the damaged components. The latest estimates from Deer Park officials suggest the fire could be put out by Thursday evening, with the pipeline fully isolated within a few hours of the equipment being installed.
“The safest way to manage this process is to let the products burn off,” Energy Transfer said in a statement.
Deer Park officials added that repair work on the pipeline was not expected to be completed until 6 p.m. Thursday, with the fire likely extinguished two to three hours later.
Impact on Local Residents
The fire has caused significant disruption in Deer Park and La Porte, leading to the evacuation of nearly 1,000 homes and forcing residents to flee without much notice. At one point, 400 evacuees were still waiting for clearance to return to their homes. Schools in the area were placed on lockdown, and students were told to shelter in place until the situation was deemed safe.
While some residents have been allowed to return as of Wednesday evening, Deer Park officials noted that a nearby highway would remain closed for the time being. Power outages affected hundreds of homes in the area, but by Wednesday afternoon, nearly all power had been restored, with only two customers still without electricity.
Frustration has been growing among evacuees, including Kristina Reff, who lives near the fire. “We literally walked out with the clothes on our backs, the pets, and just left the neighborhood with no idea where we were going,” she said, expressing her irritation at the lack of communication and uncertainty about when they could return.
Pollution and Air Quality Concerns
The towering flames and thick black smoke that billowed hundreds of feet into the air prompted concerns over air quality and potential health risks for nearby residents. However, Energy Transfer and Harris County officials have assured the public that air monitoring shows no immediate risks to individuals.
Houston, located in the heart of the U.S. petrochemical industry, is no stranger to industrial fires and explosions. The city is surrounded by refineries, chemical plants, and thousands of miles of pipelines, making incidents like these all too familiar. Past accidents have led to recurring concerns about whether the industry is doing enough to protect public safety and the environment.
While officials continue to monitor the air quality, local residents remain cautious. The sight of large industrial fires and explosions often stirs memories of past tragedies in the region.
In its statement, Deer Park said that Energy Transfer was prioritizing the safety of the community and the environment as it worked to extinguish the fire. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of all residents during this ongoing situation,” local officials said.
Conclusion
As the pipeline fire enters its third day, efforts are underway to bring the situation under control. While no serious injuries have been reported, the event has caused significant disruption to the lives of local residents. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on extinguishing the fire and ensuring the safety of the surrounding community.
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