La Porte, Texas explosion: Evacuations ordered after gas pipeline explodes
An evacuation order has been issued after a pipeline in a Texas city burst into flames.
The fire started just before 10am in La Porte, which is located around 25 miles southwest of Houston.
Dramatic images captured at the scene show an extremely large jet of fire burning high in the sky, blanketing the area in thick black smoke.
La Porte City Secretary Lee Woodward told KTRK-TV that they don´t yet know what flows through the pipeline or how it will be shut down.
Other images captured at the scene show the damage caused to the nearby area, with one picture showing a burnt out car.
Images taken of the fire in La Porte shows an extremely large jet of fire forcing its way into the sky, bringing thick black smoke with it
According to one local reporter there have been power outages in the area, with shelter in place orders being issued to those nearby
According to property records seen by ABC13 , the fire is happening on a CenterPoint owned property
According to property records seen by ABC13, the fire is happening on a CenterPoint owned property.
The company said in a statement: ‘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.’
Due to the fire, nearby Spencer Highway has been closed in both directions and neighboring roads have blocked off to traffic.
Evacuations have also been ordered for the Brookglen neighborhood area, with San Jacinto College issuing a shelter-in-place order.
In a post to social media, the college said: ‘SJC Central remains under shelter in place. No fire on campus.
‘Emergency responders are on site. A shelter in place will remain for the San Jacinto College Central Campus until all clear is provided.’
Helicopter footage taken at the scene shows dick tense smoke surrounding the area showing a burned out car
Multiple agencies are already on the scene to battle the blaze with teams working at it from two angles
According to the energy companies outage tracker, there are currently over 5,000 customers without power.
Multiple agencies are already on the scene to battle the blaze with teams working at it from two angles.
The Deer Park Office of Emergency Management said: ‘Unified Command is established with Deer Park handling the west side and La Porte handling the east.
‘A mobile command post is set up at East Blvd. and Spencer Hwy. HC Pollution Control is on scene.’