A massive pipeline fire erupted in suburban Houston on Monday, sending a towering pillar of flame and plumes of smoke into the air for hours. The incident, which occurred in La Porte and Deer Park, prompted the evacuation of a nearby neighborhood and efforts to prevent further fires from spreading. The 20-inch pipeline, operated by Energy Transfer based in Dallas, was carrying natural gas liquids at the time of the explosion.

The fire was first reported at 9:55 a.m. following a powerful blast that shook homes and businesses in the area. Residents of the affected neighborhoods described hearing a loud bang and witnessing a bright orange glow from their backdoors. Emergency responders were dispatched immediately, while law enforcement agencies blocked off a wide area to ensure public safety.

The plume of smoke from the fire could be seen from a distance of over 10 miles, and a chemical smell permeated the air in the vicinity. As of now, there have been no reports of injuries resulting from the incident. However, the operator of the pipeline has stated that the fire must burn itself out as the gas flow has been shut off, but residual materials inside may continue to burn for hours.

Local authorities have taken necessary precautions to safeguard the public, instructing nearby schools to shelter in place and ordering residents in the Brookglen neighborhood to evacuate. The impact of the fire was felt beyond the immediate area, with power outages affecting several thousand customers in Harris County. CenterPoint Energy assured that the fire had no connection to their natural gas operations or equipment but mentioned that their crews would assess and restore power as soon as it was safe to do so.

Videos broadcast by KTRK-TV revealed the substantial damage caused to a park near the fire, with firefighters battling to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent homes. By noon, a few houses were reported to have caught fire, billowing smoke from their roofs. Additionally, the presence of several businesses, including a Walmart, added to the complexity of the situation.

The cause of the pipeline fire remains unknown, adding to the list of incidents that have plagued the petrochemical heartland of Houston. This area, home to refineries, plants, and an extensive pipeline network, has experienced multiple explosions and fires in the past, raising concerns over public safety and environmental consequences.

As the fire continues to rage, residents in the affected communities anxiously wait for updates and hope for a swift resolution to this devastating incident.