GAS
Houston pipeline fire: Explosion forces evacuations and road closures in La Porte, Texas
A major fire started on Monday morning forcing authorities to demand locals leave the area.
A massive pipeline fire erupted in La Porte, Texas, a suburb located about 25 miles southeast of Houston. The explosion resulted in a towering plume of fire shooting high into the air, visible from miles away.
Officials have ordered evacuations for residents in the Brookglen neighborhood area near the fire.
Other evacuation orders:
- Spencer Highway
- Fairmont Parkway
The La Porte Office of Emergency Management has recommended evacuations between Luella and Canada Road. Additionally, several major roads have been affected:
- Spencer Highway is closed in both directions
- East Boulevard is closed southbound toward Spencer Highway
- Areas surrounding Walmart and H-E-B are blocked off to traffic
Nearly 4,700 customers in Harris County are without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
“Residents near the fire are likely to be evacuated due to power loss,” said authorities. “SETRAC is working on a potential evacuation for a nearby assisted living facility.”
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