Houston-area fire caused by SUV crash, officials say

A fire at an Energy Transfer LP natural gas liquids pipeline near Houston was caused by an SUV that crashed through the fence of a Walmart store and into an above-ground valve to the pipeline, local officials said.

Preliminary reports indicate that terrorism was not behind the incident, the city of Deer Park, Texas, said in a statement on Tuesday. Authorities are still working to identify the driver. No injuries were reported in the blast, which occurred around 10 a.m. Monday.

The fire continues to self-extinguish, which is “the safest way to handle the incident,” an Energy Transfer spokesman said in an emailed statement Tuesday. Authorities “observe a significant drop in pressure inside the line and the situation is steadily improving” as of 6 a.m. local time, officials from the city of La Porte told X.

Energy Transfer said local air quality was not affected and the company continues to work closely with local authorities to manage the incident response and cooperate with the investigation. The company did not provide an estimate for when the fire may burn.

The La Porte Police Department reopened a portion of a nearby highway Tuesday afternoon, according to a statement. “The evacuation zone within La Porte city limits has been reduced on the west side to allow more residents to return to their homes and businesses,” according to the statement.

People who were forced to evacuate and leave their vehicles at a nearby Walmart can now pick them up, the city of Deer Park said on X.

Natural gas liquids are components of natural gas that can include ethane, propane, butane, and natural gasoline. Nearby San Jacinto College issued a shelter-in-place order Monday, and a third-party air monitor contracted by Energy Transfer and Harris County checked the campuses of the college and the La Porte Independent School District to ensure the safety of those in the area.

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