Flaming column erupts from Houston-area pipeline, officials waiting for burnout

An explosion rocked a Houston-area pipeline on Monday morning and has resulted in a column of fire streaming into the air while officials wait for the blaze to run out of fuel.

There are no reported injuries as of press time, according to the Associated Press. Situated near La Porte, the pipeline's explosion prompted local schools to issue shelter-in-place orders.

La Porte in a suburb of Houston roughly 25 miles southeast of its downtown area.

Energy Transfer, the firm that operates the pipeline, has indicated that it shut off gas flow to the pipeline and expects the blaze to persist until the remaining fuel burns out.

LA PORTE, Texas (AP) - Firefighters were battling a pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday, forcing people in the surrounding neighborhood to evacuate.
The fire began at 9:55 a.m. in La Porte, located about 25 miles (40… pic.twitter.com/BzXa2YavU1

— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) September 16, 2024