Deer Park Pipeline explosion Prompts Evacuations in La Porte

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LA PORTE — A pipeline explosion that occurred in Deer Park Monday morning has now spread to La Porte, prompting evacuations in the area. The fire department responded to the fire just before 10 a.m. at the 8700 block of Spencer Highway, according to the City of La Porte.

The fire started on the north side of Spencer Highway, before spreading under it, moving south into La Porte. The flames from the explosion grew so intense that it’s led to smaller gas fires popping up. Several homes in the area have been damaged by smoke and fire.

The fire is also affecting the power grid, even threatening a CenterPoint Energy-owned property. CenterPoint Energy made a statement to ABC 13 on the incident:

“CenterPoint Energy is monitoring the incident on Spencer Highway in LaPorte, which is unrelated to the company’s natural gas operations or equipment,” CenterPoint Energy said. “We are also cooperating with first responders. Putting safety first, the public should avoid this area until further notice from local emergency officials. When it is safe to do so, our electric crews will go into the area to assess the damage to our transmission and distribution power lines, poles and equipment and begin restoring service to impacted customers as safely and quickly as possible.”

As of Monday afternoon, 2,969 customers are without power, down from peak numbers of just under 4,000, according to ABC 13.

As of Monday afternoon, there’s still no word as to what the cause of the explosion was.

A shelter in place order has been given to San Jacinto College Central Campus, Heritage Elementary School and College Park Elementary School for all students and employees.

Road Closures

Spencer Highway is closed in both directions.

East Boulevard southbound is closed.

Evacuations

An evacuation order for the area between Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway between Luella and Canada has been issued. This includes the Brookglen neighborhood.

For those displaced, a cooling center has opened up at the East Harris County Activity Center in Pasadena. A reunification center has opened at the La Porte Recreation and Fitness Center.

Deer Park Pipeline Explosion Prompts Evacuations in La Porte  was originally published on 93qcountry.com