Chemical Pipeline Explosion Leads to Evacuation

A pipeline exploded after a vehicle crashed through a fence and into the pipeline valve before yesterday morning's giant explosion.

Firefighters initially were dispatched at 9:55 a.m., after the explosion at the valve station in Deer Park, TX, adjacent to La Porte, rattled homes and businesses, including a Walmart. 

Evacuation orders were issued after the natural gas pipeline fire erupted.

AP reported that at a news conference, officials said only one person, a firefighter, sustained a minor injury. Later, Deer Park spokesperson Kaitlyn Bluejacket said four people were injured. No details about the severity of the injuries were provided.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement that 20 miles of pipeline between the two closed valves had to burn off before the fire would stop.

“The Railroad Commission of Texas pipeline safety inspectors are investigating the fire that occurred at an Energy Transfer natural gas liquid pipeline in La Porte Monday morning,” according to the commission. Energy Transfer has shut down the portion of the pipeline that caught fire. RRC inspectors will work with state and local emergency responders at the scene.”

The fire occurred in a pipeline corridor, and the commission is notifying other pipeline operators in the corridor of the incident and getting information on measures they are taking to ensure safety, according to the commission, reported Houston Public Media.

Houston is the nation’s petrochemical heartland and home to many refineries and plants and thousands of miles of pipelines. Explosions and fires are a familiar sight in the area because of this.