A manhole cover was blown loose in a northwest Harris County neighborhood after what authorities described as a possible underground explosion, sending first responders and utility crews scrambling to De Forrest Street to check for a gas leak. The incident unfolded on Sunday in a residential area near FM 1960 and Veterans Memorial Drive, prompting officials to urge nearby residents to steer clear of the block while the investigation played out.
According to FOX 26 Houston, first responders were called to the area regarding the potential underground explosion and possible gas leak. The outlet, citing the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office, reported that the suspected blast dislodged a manhole cover at the scene on De Forrest Street.
Utility Crews Dispatched to De Forrest Street
Utility crews were called out to address the potential gas leak at the location, per the same report. Authorities asked residents in the immediate area to avoid De Forrest Street while the investigation continued, though the exact cause of the disturbance had not been confirmed as of the latest available report.
The neighborhood sits near the busy FM 1960 and Veterans Memorial Drive corridor, a heavily populated stretch of northwest Harris County. No further details on the scope of the response or how long crews remained on scene were included in the report.
Underground Utility Dangers Have Drawn Scrutiny Statewide
Incidents involving underground lines have drawn increased attention across Texas this year. A report from KERA News found that excavators across the state had damaged pipelines more than 4,800 times since the start of 2026, with incidents frequently triggering highly explosive gas leaks and more than 1,000 of those cases occurring in Dallas alone.
Underground utility failures aren't unique to Harris County. Last year, Houston Public Media reported that three Houston-area men died after exposure to toxic gas inside a manhole while servicing a lift station in Trinity County. Elsewhere, underground electrical fires in Tallahassee produced two large craters in the road earlier this month, according to the Tallahassee Democrat, while a separate report on a prior Tallahassee incident pointed to sealed manholes and wire insulation as possible contributing factors, per WTXL. A similar underground electrical fire in San Francisco's Financial District also forced road closures and a shelter-in-place order, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
No information has been released confirming whether a gas leak was found at the De Forrest Street site, what caused the disturbance, or whether anyone was injured. Authorities had not issued a follow-up determination as of the latest reporting.
