DEER PARK, Texas – A pipeline explosion sent flames hundreds of feet into the air, prompting evacuations and road closures in Deer Park Monday.
The temperature from the fire was so intense it torched a nearby playground. Firefighters hosed down their equipment and nearby homes, but that wasn’t enough to fight back against the radiant heat. At least five homes are damaged.
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Monday evening, officials announced that they had determined the fire was started by a white SUV that drove through a fence and struck the pipeline valve. The driver’s identity—and their intentions—remain unclear at this time.
Energy Transfer owns the pipeline and after more than three hours, they were able to shut down two valves to cut off the natural gas fueling the fire.
Those two valves are 20 miles apart, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
All the gas still in those lines has to burn off before the fire goes out. First responders said Monday afternoon that could take hours.
What happened
People heard the explosion right before 10 a.m. along Spencer Highway between Luella Boulevard and Canada.
Deer Park officials said a white sport utility vehicle drove through a fence on the west side of Wal-Mart’s parking lot located at 9025 Spencer Hwy. The vehicle entered the adjacent pipeline right-of-way and struck an above-ground pipeline valve.
One witness told KPRC 2, “My son and I were at the AFC Urgent Care waiting to be seen when we heard a loud boom. I turned around and saw a white SUV fly up into the sky and fell on the ground in flames,” Veronica Martinez said.
That urgent care is a couple of long blocks away, on the same side of the street.
“That’s when we realized the pipe burst. Everyone from the clinic started fleeing on foot away from the fire and the intensive heat,” Martinez said.
Energy Transfer’s pipeline is in an underground corridor of pipelines—at least 15—owned by major companies.
RELATED: Energy Transfer had similar Fort Bend County pipeline fire in 2022, eight incidents in 2024
The company said the fire was roaring out of a 20-inch natural gas liquids line at a valve station. Although the line had been shut down, the residual product in the line had to burn itself out.
“We have no timeline at this point on how long that process will take, but we are working with local authorities,” the company said.
What’s burning
The chemical burning is Chemical Y Grade NGL (liquid natural gas). It’s a product derived from the processing of natural gas. According to a safety data sheet from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it’s extremely flammable.
For blocks around, you could hear the roar of the fire as nightfall approached. KPRC 2′s Joel Eisenbaum described it as sounding like a jet engine.
Due to the fire, Spencer Highway was closed in both directions and the areas surrounding Walmart and H-E-B were blocked off to traffic.
Injuries and impact
The impact on people in the area and their property was still being assessed late Monday.
At least four people were hurt in the fire. One man tripped and fell, trying to get his dogs out of the house as the family fled. A firefighter had minor injuries.
One woman told KPRC 2′s Bryce Newberrry the plastic parts of her car melted from the intense heat. She was also evacuated and as night approached was not sure how her home fared.
Emergency workers told people during an afternoon briefing that homes were just too hot to return to.
CONTINUOUS COVERAGE ON THE DEER PARK PIPELINE FIRE
At least five homes were damaged from radiant heat, even though firefighters tried to douse those homes with water.
Major evacuations were ordered for people living and working within Spencer Highway and Fairmont Pkwy. between Luella and Canada Rd., including the Brookglen neighborhood.
CenterPoint Energy reported more than 700 customers in the area were without power.
H-E-B, Walmart and two schools—Heritage Elementary and College Park Elementary—were evacuated as well. San Jacinto College had a shelter in place and then released students.
Where to get help
Deer Park set up a temporary reunification site at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center on 13th St. for evacuees.
The Faithbridge Church on Center Street is also being used as a shelter for those affected by the pipeline fire.
Mattress Mack opened up his Gallery Furniture location along the Northwest Freeway for people to stay.
Addressing the concerns of residents unable to return home, Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton, Jr. expressed his empathy for those affected by the fire.
“It would be concerning to me if I were to know I couldn’t go home this evening,” he said.
MORE: Shelter-in-place, evacuations issued for THESE areas due to pipeline fire in Deer Park
Mouton reassured the community that officials, in coordination with the energy transfer company, are working to provide temporary accommodations for those displaced by the fire or potential power outages.
“Family is going to play a major role in giving places a short term for people that are displaced,” he added.
For anyone displaced and/or impacted by the Energy Transfer Pipeline Fire, Energy Transfer has created a helpline: (855) 430-4491 and encouraged people to call.
If you’re impacted by the explosion, the company said it will document your information and give you guidance on support and resources available.
They also encouraged people to sign up for CodeRED Notifications for emergencies in Deer Park.
What about that car?
According to the city of Deer Park, a white sport utility vehicle drive through a fence on the west side of Wal-Mart’s parking lot, located at 9025 Spencer Highway. Officials said the vehicle entered the adjacent pipeline right-of-way and struck an above-ground pipeline valve.
The Deer Park Police Department is investigation and believe this incident to be an isolated incident.
The investigation is ongoing, including the positive identification of the vehicle and driver. No other information about the investigation is available as of the time of this press release.
@nicolettelifts I hope everyone is OK. I know there’s a couple of houses and schools in the area. @KPRC 2 Click2Houston #deerpark #laporte #fire
♬ original sound - Official Nicolettelifts
***SJC ALERT*** URGENT: 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.
— San Jacinto College Office of Emergency Management (@ReadySanJac) September 16, 2024
Safety inspectors with the Railroad Commission of Texas have also confirmed to KPRC 2 that they will be assisting in the investigation.