Homes and businesses in a Houston suburb have been evacuated as a large pipeline fire continues to rage in La Porte, Texas, approximately 25 miles southeast of Houston. The fire, which started on Monday morning, erupted from a 20-inch pipeline owned by Energy Transfer, sending a towering column of flames into the air. Authorities in La Porte and nearby Deer Park swiftly responded, shutting down streets and ensuring the safety of nearby residents.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, as authorities are still investigating the incident. Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton stated in a press conference on Monday that it will be some time before the fire is completely extinguished. Environmental teams and emergency responders have been tirelessly working to mitigate the impact of the fire, which has spread to nearby homes and a park.

Energy Transfer, the owner of the liquid natural gas pipeline, released a statement confirming that the line had been isolated to allow the residual product to safely burn itself out. The company is in close cooperation with local authorities, although no timeline has been established regarding when the fire will be fully extinguished.

While approximately 50 individuals have been evacuated due to the fire, the repercussions extend beyond the immediate area. Numerous power outages, evacuations, and closures have impacted a significant number of people. CenterPoint Energy, a utility company based in Houston, reported several outages in the affected region. The company has emphasized that the incident is unrelated to their natural gas operations or equipment. Once it is deemed safe, their electric crews will assess the damage to power lines and restore services as quickly and safely as possible.

Assistant Chief Frank Hart of the Deer Park Police acknowledged that one firefighter sustained minor injuries during the response to the fire. As a precautionary measure, some schools in the area, including the San Jacinto College central campus, issued shelter-in-place orders. These orders were later lifted, leading to the cancellation of classes and activities.

The ongoing pipeline fire has brought immense challenges for the community, with authorities and residents anxiously awaiting its containment. Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, as stakeholders work towards ensuring the well-being of those affected and minimizing further damage.