Massive Fire Breaks Out in Deer Park After White SUV Crashes Into Pipeline Valve
Deer Park, Texas, was struck by chaos on Monday when a white SUV collided into a pipeline valve, sparking a massive fire that raged for hours. The incident led to evacuations and a significant emergency response in the area.
The fire ignited just before 10 a.m. at a valve station along Spencer Highway near East Boulevard. By 1:30 p.m., officials reported that the fire was finally under control, but they needed to wait for the remaining natural gas to burn off completely.
Amongst the chaos, four individuals were injured in the fire, with two of them requiring medical treatment at local hospitals. Roads were closed, and residents were forced to leave their homes due to the intense heat emanating from the fire. Nearby homes and a park also sustained damage from the flames.
Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. warned that the fire could potentially continue through the night and into the following day as the natural gas continued to burn off.
The catastrophic event was triggered by a white SUV that crashed through a fence at Walmart’s parking lot, leading to a collision with an above-ground valve in the pipeline right-of-way. Energy Transfer, the pipeline’s owner, shut off the flow to the ruptured line and awaited the remnants to burn off.
As investigations are set to commence after the fire is extinguished, authorities reassured the public that there was no indication of terrorist activities linked to the crash. The incident is believed to be isolated, and efforts are underway to identify the driver and the vehicle involved.
Those affected by the fire and in need of assistance can contact the Energy Transfer helpline at 855-430-4491 for support.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.