Pipeline explodes in Houston suburb, forcing evacuations

Firefighters in a suburb of Houston are battling a massive pipeline fire Monday that ignited grass fires and burned power poles on. 

The conflagration forced evacuations of the surrounding neighborhood.

The fire started at 9:55 a.m. local time in La Porte, Texas, a city 25 miles southwest of Houston, the Associated Press reported.

Officials ordered evacuations, La Porte spokesperson Lee Woodward said.

"Please avoid the area and follow law enforcement direction. Further details will be released as available," Woodward advised.

Over 4,700 residents are without power.

The cause of the fire is unknown. There was no reports of serious injury or death by midday