A pipeline fire in a Houston suburb that raged for four days has finally been extinguished, prompting authorities to initiate a criminal investigation. The blaze, which soared into the sky, led to evacuations of nearby neighborhoods and caused significant damage, including melting parts of cars.
As firefighters brought the fire under control on Thursday, officials revealed that human remains were discovered in an SUV located near the fire’s epicenter. Investigators believe the fire ignited after the driver crashed through a fence adjacent to a Walmart parking lot and struck an above-ground valve.
Officials from Deer Park, where the incident occurred, have classified the crash as accidental. They confirmed that preliminary investigations by local police and the FBI found no evidence suggesting a coordinated or terrorist attack. “This has developed into a criminal investigation that will continue as more information becomes available,” the city announced in a statement.
Residents who were evacuated returned on Thursday to assess the damage. They encountered scenes of devastation, including partially melted vehicles, destroyed fences, and a neighborhood park rendered unrecognizable by the flames. Diane Hutto, whose home was severely damaged by firefighting efforts, expressed her despair: “Devastated, upset, scared. We don’t know what we’re going to do now.”
The fire’s diminished intensity allowed police to access the pipeline area, where they removed the SUV for further investigation. Human remains were retrieved by medical examiners in Harris County, who are now working to identify the victim.
The underground pipeline, which runs beneath high-voltage power lines in a grassy corridor between the Walmart and residential areas, was reportedly damaged when the SUV driver veered off course. However, details surrounding the crash remain sparse.
Energy Transfer, the company responsible for the pipeline, characterized the incident as an accident and reiterated that investigations have shown no signs of foul play. The 20-inch-wide pipeline transports natural gas liquids through Deer Park and La Porte, both located southeast of Houston.
The fire led to the evacuation of nearly 1,000 homes, and nearby schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Residents began returning home on Wednesday evening.
Hutto reported extensive water damage to her home, including a collapsed ceiling in her daughter’s bedroom and the onset of mold. “Everything is just soaking wet,” she lamented. “It smells bad. I don’t think there’s really anything we can salvage at this point.”
In contrast, Robert Blair, a neighbor, found only minor damage upon his return, including cracked windows and melted irrigation system pipes. “We were very lucky here. It could have been worse,” he noted.
The valve equipment associated with the pipeline is enclosed by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire, but Energy Transfer has not responded to inquiries regarding additional safety measures in place.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo indicated that officials would explore the possibility of requiring companies like Energy Transfer to enhance security protocols, potentially including concrete barriers around pipeline infrastructure. “If they had that around it, I don’t think this would have happened,” Blair remarked.
Despite the large plume of smoke and flames visible from afar, authorities have stated that air quality monitoring revealed no immediate risks to public health.
Houston, recognized as the nation’s petrochemical hub, is home to numerous refineries and extensive pipeline networks, making explosions and fires a frequent occurrence. These incidents have sparked ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of safety measures in protecting both the community and the environment.
Following the fire, some residents expressed lingering fears about their safety. Hutto, whose husband works in a petrochemical plant, reflected on the incident’s impact on her perception of the area: “I don’t think I want to live here anymore. I’m just too scared to stay here.”
You Might Be Interested In