DEER PARK, Texas — Flames continued to shoot from a pipeline in Deer Park two days after it ignited. The City of Deer Park said crews worked through the night on the fire and that it's smaller than it was on Monday.
The fire started just before 10 a.m. Monday at Spencer Highway near East Boulevard near the Brookglen neighborhood.
On Monday evening, the City of Deer Park confirmed the fire was caused by an SUV crashing through the fence of a nearby Walmart and hitting an above-ground valve. Police haven't confirmed the identity of that driver or said whether they survived the crash or where they are now.
The company that owns the pipeline, Energy Transfer, is working to isolate the part of the pipeline closest to the burn by “clamping” the pipeline at the south side of the burn.
Here's what we know about road closures, evacuations:
- East Boulevard is open to Spencer Highway southbound.
- Canada Boulevard is open to Spencer Highway northbound.
- Spencer Highway is open eastbound from East Boulevard.
- Spencer Highway is open westbound from Fernlock Drive.
- Spencer Highway is closed between East Boulevard and Luella Boulevard.
- The evacuated area in La Porte is now bounded by the Willow Springs Bayou (between Fernrock Drive and Somerton Drive), Spencer Highway, Canada Road, and Oakhaven Road/Eagle Run Street. Officials said this area will likely remain evacuated through Wednesday.
- Areas north of Spencer Highway in Deer Park remain evacuated.
In a release on Tuesday afternoon, Deer Park officials said Harris County Hazmat and the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department were preparing to enter homes in the East Meadow area.
Hazmat will enter homes to conduct air quality monitoring. Once it's deemed safe, the DPVFD will enter the neighborhood to conduct an initial search of the homes and then proceed with a secondary and "more thorough" search of the homes, according to officials.
Law enforcement continues to perform traffic control duties and will provide increased patrols through impacted areas.
In a statement Tuesday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said CenterPoint is working to secure the transmission lines on the fire's north side along the pipeline right of way outside of the explosion zone.
After heavy lines have been secured, Hidalgo said Energy Transfer will be able to block the north side of the pipeline.
CenterPoint is working to secure the distribution lines running east to west on Spencer Highway to ensure power lines there will not be affected as equipment moves in, according to Hidalgo.
"My team and I continue to be in ongoing contact with first responders at the scene of the fire and to help with any additional necessary resources. Currently, the fire is still burning, but the good news is that the pressure within the pipeline is continuously dropping, which means we are getting closer to the fire going out," Hidalgo said in the statement.
Once both sides of the pipeline have been clamped, Energy Transfer said they will verify that there is no product remaining.
Hidalgo said once Energy Transfer has clamped the valve, Harris County Hazmat and Harris County Pollution Control, along with help from state and local partners, will conduct air monitoring for natural gas and other "potentially harmful substances" to make sure that no excess product is entering the community or affecting first responders.
Once firefighters inspect homes for safety concerns, the pipeline is clamped and officials determine air quality is safe, Hidalgo said residents will be able to return to their homes.
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s Precinct 2 engineers are reviewing the integrity of Spencer Highway after it's dealt with prolonged exposure from the fire's heat.
"Thank you to the various agencies and first responders who have been working day and night to help contain the fire and help keep residents safe throughout this incident," Hidalgo said.
Here's how to get help if you've been impacted:
Energy Transfer set up a claims line for people affected by the fire.
For residents and businesses needing help, including overnight lodging expenses, per diem costs, damages and other services, you can call Energy Transfer's helpline at 855-430-4491 or LaPorteResponse@EnergyTransfer.com.
In a statement Tuesday, Energy Transfer said impacted landowners have been provided lodging at area hotels.
Read the full statement from Energy Transfer:
The fire continues to burn itself out, which is the safest way to manage the incident. Air quality monitoring continues to show no impact to air quality. Impacted landowners are being taken care of and have been provided lodging at area hotels. This will continue until evacuation orders are lifted. Law enforcement agencies have initiated an investigation into the cause of the incident. We continue to work closely with local authorities to safely manage the response and cooperate in the investigation. We want to thank all the emergency response teams for their ongoing efforts to safely manage the response to this incident. Any impacted homeowner still needing assistance can call 855-430-4491 or send an email to laporteresponse@energytransfer.com. You will be asked to provide your name, phone number, address and what assistance you are needing. We will provide updates as new information becomes available.