Pipeline Fire in Deer Park: Things We Know So Far

Deer Park, Texas – A huge pipeline explosion occurred in Deer Park on Monday September 15, 2024 the fire was seen rising to hundreds of feet in the air and many people were evacuated.

The fire, which started around 10 a.m., was caused by a white SUV car that rammed a fence and hit a natural gas pipeline valve, which in turn caused a massive fire.

Authorities said the vehicle entered the pipeline’s right-of-way near the Walmart parking lot along Spencer Highway.

The effects of the explosion caused a lot of havoc in the society as the people and the authorities tried to escape from the scene, to shut down the roads, and to handle the heat and the damage caused by fire.

Since the fire could take hours to extinguish due to the natural gas still flowing in the pipeline, the firefighters never rested.

Picture Credits: Click2Houston  

Witnesses of the Event Give Their Testimony

Eyewitnesses were able to recount the events that preceded the explosion, how they felt, and what they saw. Veronica Martinez, the mother of a five-year-old boy who accompanied her to AFC Urgent Care, said she heard a loud explosion. 

She said: “I turned around and saw a white SUV flew up into the sky and landed on the ground, burning.” Like many others in the vicinity, Martinez and her son had to run as the heat from the fire was increasing. 

She said, “All the people from the clinic began to run on foot away from the fire and the intense heat,” and she had to abandon the car to save her family.

Other witnesses who testified were Sherry and Chad Richard, who were parking at Walmart when the incident happened. 

The couple was able to notice the white SUV driving slowly before it swerved off the road, knocked down a fence, and finally hit the pipeline. 

Authorities have not yet released information about the driver’s condition or identity, although Deer Park Police confirmed they believe the incident to be isolated and non-terroristic in nature.

Evacuations and Road Closures

Deer Park officials have called on residents and businesses along Spencer Highway, the Brookglen neighborhood, and between Fairmont Parkway and Canada Road to evacuate.

Two local schools namely the Heritage Elementary and College Park Elementary had to be evacuated while San Jacinto College ordered shelter in place before releasing the students.

Besides the evacuations, several major roads were shut down to reduce the risk of more mishaps, such as Spencer Highway in both ways. This led to traffic being blocked around the Walmart and H-E-B stores, which were also cleared in the process.

Some of the difficulties faced by the first responders included the extremely high heat from the fire. Even though firefighters tried to douse water on the adjacent homes, five homes were affected by heat-related issues. 

The heat generated by the fire was intense and it started melting plastics on cars and damaging the properties that were nearby.

If you or your loved ones are affected by such incidents, then you deserve full compensation for your losses. In this situation, you should always contact a personal injury lawyer in Texas, as they can help you with the injury claim process and maximize your chances of compensation. 

Picture Credits: Click2Houston 

The Pipeline and Its Contents

Energy Transfer’s 20-inch natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline was supplying the fire. This remained in the pipeline due to the product still in the pipeline, and the line that was closed shortly after the accident continued to burn.

Energy Transfer clarified that the substance burning was Chemical Y Grade NGL, a highly flammable material that is produced during natural gas processing.

‘The fire is originating from a natural gas liquids line, and although the supply has been cut, it still takes time to clear the product line,’ Energy Transfer explained.

Injuries and the Human Toll

The human impact of the explosion is still being assessed. Four people were confirmed injured, including one man who fell while trying to rescue his dogs from his home and a firefighter who sustained minor injuries. 

No fatalities have been reported so far, although there is growing concern for the SUV driver, whose condition remains unknown.

One evacuee, whose car melted due to the fire’s heat, expressed her concern about the damage to her property and uncertainty about her home. “I don’t know how my house is, and I won’t be able to return until it’s safe,” she said.

While the immediate priority remains extinguishing the fire and assessing the damage, Deer Park Police and federal agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. 

Initial reports suggest that the SUV struck the pipeline valve, causing the explosion. However, officials are still trying to positively identify the driver and determine whether any medical issues played a role in the crash.