<p><img src="/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/09/16/USAT/75251507007-460114070-1057980109017189-1810772149796963074-n.jpg?crop=1535,864,x0,y102&width=660&height=371&format=pjpg&auto=webp" width="100%" /><p>A pipeline explosion in the Houston area has prompted evacuations and a large response from firefighters to fight the Monday afternoon blaze.</p><p>The explosion happened in Deer Park, a city about 18 miles east of Houston. According to reports from local news station <a href="https://abc13.com/post/la-porte-pipeline-fire-jumps-spencer-highway-sets-off-smaller-grass-fires-area-officials-say/15310405/">ABC13</a>, the fire spread south under Spencer Highway into the borders of the adjacent city of La Porte, Texas.</p><p>In a Facebook post from the La Porte Fire Department, officials said first responders were dispatched to the scene at about 9:55 a.m. local time.</p><p>Multiple agencies were at the scene early Monday afternoon with the Deer Park and La Porte Offices of Emergency Management responding to the blaze.</p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lpoem/posts/pfbid0iqXgEN3x5AsJbPS8PGRn2e1q97o7UAw3Fkk5prCxMBptRcFNC2mTLmjvkV2jC2rZl"></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/deerparktx.oem/posts/pfbid037XBaqv5pYn5jGj6XTKuEFeuV13W1obBaqckCM6YqQRdAe1HzbVvwSB1wiLCMVvuwl"></a><a href="https://app.adjust.com/1el9h6z4">Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news</a> <a href="/story/news/health/2024/09/12/lead-in-cinnamon/75181743007/">'Throw it away': High traces of lead found in 12 brands' cinnamon, spice powders, report says</a> <a href="/story/news/nation/2024/09/12/aurora-colorado-venezuelan-gang-stories-debunked/75190566007/">Colorado mayor, police respond to Trump's claims that Venezuelan gang is 'taking over'</a> <a href="/story/news/politics/2024/09/13/springfield-ohio-schools-trump-pets/75206051007/">Schools evacuated in Springfield, Ohio, after false Trump debate pet-eating claim</a> <a href="/story/money/2024/09/13/boars-head-closing-virginia-plant-listeria-outbreak/75206453007/">Boar's Head to close Virginia plant linked to listeria outbreak, 500 people out of work</a> <a href="/story/money/2024/09/13/boeing-workers-strike-vote-reject-contract/75202568007/">Boeing workers on strike for the 1st time in 16 years after 96% vote to reject contract</a><img width="100%" /><h2>Evacuation, shelter in place orders issued</h2><p>The fire also led authorities to issue evacuation and shelter in place orders in adjacent communities.</p><p>The San Jacinto College Central Campus has been placed under shelter and evacuation orders have been given for the areas adjacent to the fire.</p><p>The fire is also happening near a property owned by CenterPoint, a utility company that services the area, in a statement sent to USA TODAY, the company said it is monitoring the situation.</p><p>“CenterPoint Energy is monitoring the incident, which is unrelated to the company’s natural gas operations or equipment. 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,” the company said.</p><p>Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at
[email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.</p></p>
A pipeline explosion in the Houston area has prompted evacuations and a large response from firefighters to fight the Monday afternoon blaze.
The explosion happened in Deer Park, a city about 18 miles east of Houston. According to reports from local news station ABC13, the fire spread south under Spencer Highway into the borders of the adjacent city of La Porte, Texas.
In a Facebook post from the La Porte Fire Department, officials said first responders were dispatched to the scene at about 9:55 a.m. local time.
Multiple agencies were at the scene early Monday afternoon with the Deer Park and La Porte Offices of Emergency Management responding to the blaze.
Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news 'Throw it away': High traces of lead found in 12 brands' cinnamon, spice powders, report says Colorado mayor, police respond to Trump's claims that Venezuelan gang is 'taking over' Schools evacuated in Springfield, Ohio, after false Trump debate pet-eating claim Boar's Head to close Virginia plant linked to listeria outbreak, 500 people out of work Boeing workers on strike for the 1st time in 16 years after 96% vote to reject contract![]()
Evacuation, shelter in place orders issued
The fire also led authorities to issue evacuation and shelter in place orders in adjacent communities.
The San Jacinto College Central Campus has been placed under shelter and evacuation orders have been given for the areas adjacent to the fire.
The fire is also happening near a property owned by CenterPoint, a utility company that services the area, in a statement sent to USA TODAY, the company said it is monitoring the situation.
“CenterPoint Energy is monitoring the incident, which is unrelated to the company’s natural gas operations or equipment. 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,” the company said.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
