Energy
Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 3:47 pm EDT
Key Points
- Pipeline Eruption and Evacuations: A natural liquid gas pipeline near Houston erupted, prompting evacuation orders for about 50 homes in Deer Park and nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in La Porte. Shelter-in-place orders were also issued for multiple schools in the La Porte Independent School District.
- Damage and Response: The fire has caused damage to several homes, with a firefighter from Pasadena injured while responding to the blaze. The cause of the fire, possibly linked to a vehicle striking the pipeline, is still under investigation. The pipeline has been shut down, and efforts are underway to control the fire as it burns off residual fuel.
- Emergency Measures and Monitoring: Deer Park and La Porte officials have set up reunification sites for evacuees and are monitoring air quality, noting no significant levels of volatile organic compounds but a moderate amount of particulate matter. Energy Transfer has established a hotline for affected residents and businesses.
On Monday, a natural liquid gas pipeline near Houston experienced a major eruption, leading to extensive evacuations and shelter-in-place orders. The fire, which originated at a pipeline facility operated by Energy Transfer, prompted the evacuation of around 50 homes in Deer Park, located about 20 miles southeast of Houston. Additionally, nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in La Porte were evacuated, with multiple schools in the La Porte Independent School District also placed under shelter-in-place orders.
The blaze, which started shortly before 10 a.m., resulted in damage to several residences, including the five homes closest to the fire. A firefighter from nearby Pasadena was injured while responding, although details regarding the extent of the injury were not immediately available. The pipeline fire has caused significant disruptions, including potential power outages as damaged power lines have affected electricity supply in the area.
Initial investigations suggest that a vehicle may have struck the pipeline before the flames erupted, though the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire, which started at a valve station for a 20-inch liquid natural gas line, has led Energy Transfer to shut down the pipeline, allowing the residual fuel to burn off. The company has not provided a timeline for when the fire will be fully extinguished.
Deer Park and La Porte fire officials have coordinated efforts to control the blaze, with a unified command established to tackle the fire from both cities. Despite their efforts, the fire remains intense, causing damage to adjacent structures. A nearby grass fire has been contained. Air monitoring by Harris County Pollution Control has detected no significant levels of volatile organic compounds but has noted a moderate amount of particulate matter, advising individuals with health issues to take precautions.
Deer Park and La Porte have set up reunification sites for evacuees and provided a hotline for affected residents and businesses. The situation remains under close monitoring, with ongoing efforts to manage the fire and mitigate its impact on the community.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/17/houston-area-pipeline-fire-prompts-evacuations-shelter-in-place-orders-for-thousands.html
