A pipeline explosion near Spencer Highway in the Deer Park area has prompted emergency responses and evacuations as the fire escalated and spread to La Porte today. According to ABC13, the incident which began in Deer Park, breached the vicinity south under Spencer Highway to La Porte—divided between the two by the very same thoroughfare. Multiple agencies, including the Deer Park Office of Emergency Management and La Porte authorities, are actively engaging the East and West sides of the blaze.
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia told KHOU 11 that there are approximately 350 homes near the fire point, with an evacuation order in place for the potentially affected residents. In the same interview, Garcia revealed a lack of wind that has been instrumental in hindering the fire's spread.
The fire's cause remains unknown, but KHOU 11 energy expert Ed Hirs speculated that a liquid substance appears to be the fuel, since natural gas tends to burn cleaner, and mentioned it could involve a high-pressure line. There are several pipelines running through this area, some marked with hazardous materials, like petroleum and methanol, as KHOU 11 Investigates, Jeremy Rogalski pointed out.
At the moment, approximately 7,000 customers are experiencing power outages in the Deer Park area, with CenterPoint Energy stating "CenterPoint Energy is monitoring the incident on Spencer Highway in LaPorte, which is unrelated to the company’s natural gas operations or equipment. We are also cooperating with first responders. Putting safety first, the public should avoid this area until further notice from local emergency officials. When it is safe to do so, our electric crews will go into the area to assess the damage to our transmission and distribution power lines, poles and equipment and begin restoring service to impacted customers as safely and quickly as possible," as they mentioned to ABC13.
Evacuations have been ordered for the Brookglen neighborhood in La Porte, specifically between Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway and between Luella and Canada, as directed by law enforcement. In the face of these dangers, an evacuation and cooling center has opened at the East Harris County Activity Center on Spencer Highway in Pasadena. A reunification center is also available at the La Porte Recreation and Fitness Center on Broadway.
Furthermore, shelter-in-place orders have been issued for San Jacinto College Central Campus in La Porte and La Porte ISD's Heritage Elementary School and College Park Elementary School, which will remain in effect until it's safe to lift them, informed the respective educational institutions. Roads surrounding the incident, including Spencer Highway in both directions and East Boulevard southbound toward Spencer Highway, have been shut down to control the spread and ease the efforts of emergency responders.
Residents and the wider community are being advised to avoid the affected area and remain informed through updates from the Railroad Commission of Texas and Harris County authorities on air quality and the ongoing situation.
