Pipeline Explosion Near Houston Caused by Vehicle Collision, Officials Confirm

A massive pipeline fire near Houston, triggered when a vehicle struck an above-ground valve, began to subside Tuesday morning, officials said.

The blaze erupted after an SUV crashed through a fence and hit a valve near a Walmart in Deer Park, igniting an inferno that persisted for more than 12 hours.

Local authorities, including police and FBI agents, launched an investigation, but no evidence suggested a coordinated or terrorist attack.

“This appears to be an isolated incident,” officials confirmed.

The explosion resulted in a towering flame visible for miles, damaging homes, power lines, and even incinerating the vehicle involved. Details about the driver’s condition have not been released. The fire also forced the evacuation of nearly 1,000 homes, and local schools were instructed to shelter in place.

Deer Park firefighters responded at 9:55 a.m. but were limited in their ability to combat the fire due to the intense heat and fuel still present in the pipeline. Ladder trucks doused surrounding homes as flames continued to engulf the area.

“A lot of the house structures that are adjacent to that are still catching on fire even though we’re putting a lot of water on them,” Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. said.

The natural gas liquids pipeline, owned by Dallas-based Energy Transfer, had its flow shut off, but residual fuel in the miles of tubing continued to feed the fire. The fire gradually decreased in intensity as the gas burned out, with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo estimating that 20 miles of pipeline between two closed valves would need to burn off entirely.

At a press conference, officials reported only minor injuries, including one firefighter. However, Deer Park spokesperson Kaitlyn Bluejacket later confirmed that four people were injured, without providing further details.

Residents close to the site described the chaotic scene. Anna Lewis, who was at a nearby Walmart when the explosion occurred, said it sounded “like a bomb went off.” Others, like Geselle Melina Guerra, fled their homes in fear.

“We just drove as far as we could because we didn’t know what was happening,” said Jairo Sanchez, a local resident.

The fire disrupted power for several thousand residents, and environmental concerns were raised due to the release of particulate matter and potential pollutants. Harris County Pollution Control reported no immediate threat from volatile organic compounds, but advised sensitive populations to take precautions. Air monitoring efforts were ongoing.

While the fire is expected to have environmental consequences, experts like Ramanan Krishnamoorti from the University of Houston noted that allowing the gas to burn off is less harmful than extinguishing it with foam or chemicals, which could release more pollutants.

The Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees oil and gas operations, confirmed that safety inspectors were investigating the incident, and the extensive pipeline network in the area would require thorough examination for potential damage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.