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**Massive Pipeline Fire Erupts in La Porte, Texas After SUV Crash, Forcing Evacuations**
An SUV crashed into a fence and struck a valve for a natural gas pipeline Monday morning, sparking a massive fire in La Porte, Texas, about 25 miles southeast of Houston. The fire sent flames towering into the sky, damaging homes, melting vehicles, and prompting the evacuation of approximately 100 homes, according to local authorities.
The blaze, fueled by a 20-inch natural gas pipeline, ignited around 10 a.m., sending residents scrambling to safety. Even 10 hours after the initial explosion, the flames continued to burn, though the pipeline’s flow had been shut off. Authorities believe the fire will burn itself out as residual gas in the pipeline dissipates.
Escaping the Flames
Deborah Gamel, 69, described how the fire engulfed her neighborhood, creating intense heat inside her home. Within minutes of the fire erupting, “the heat inside the house was so intense it was like being in an oven,” she said. Her husband Carl managed to drive their truck—despite its tailgate and lights melting—from their garage to safety, picking her up as they escaped the blaze.
Emergency services director Jamie Galloway of Deer Park reported that up to five homes were damaged by the fire’s radiant heat. More than 100 houses within a half-mile radius were evacuated as firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Ongoing Response and Fire Control Efforts
Firefighters have been pouring water into homes and a nearby park that caught fire in an effort to control the blaze. Four first responders, believed to be firefighters, suffered heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene.
Authorities from Deer Park and La Porte continue to monitor the fire, though they caution it could burn into the night. "It will be a while before it goes down," said Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton.
The pipeline belongs to Energy Transfer, which confirmed the incident at one of its valve stations. "The line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out," the company said in a statement, though no timeline has been provided for when the fire will be fully extinguished.
Community Impact and Power Outages
The fire has caused power outages in the area, affecting hundreds of homes and businesses. CenterPoint Energy, the local utility company, confirmed several outages, though it noted the incident was unrelated to its natural gas operations. Crews are standing by to restore power once it is safe to access the area.
Additionally, local schools, including the central campus of San Jacinto College, were placed under a shelter-in-place order, with classes and activities later canceled.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents in the area described a scene of chaos and confusion. Geselle Melina Guerra, 25, who lives in a mobile home within the evacuation zone, recounted hearing a loud explosion and seeing bright flames outside her window. "I thought maybe it was an airplane that had crashed down by our house," she said.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash and fire, but preliminary reports suggest there is no indication of terroristic activity. The focus remains on keeping residents safe and minimizing the spread of the fire while Energy Transfer and local officials work to bring the situation under control.
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