The Fire in Deer Park: When Will it End?
The flames are still raging, but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for residents affected by the pipeline fire in Deer Park, Texas.
According to the City of Deer Park, residents of Deer Park and La Porte who were evacuated from their homes will be allowed to return at 6 p.m. this evening.
The fire, which has been burning for several days, is now much smaller. The City of Deer Park reported that crews are diligently working to repair the infrastructure surrounding the fire and expect to have it under control by 6 p.m. Thursday. Once the repairs are complete, the fire should be extinguished within two to three hours.
While progress is being made, Spencer Highway will remain closed between Luella and East/Canada Blvd. Authorities are urging people to steer clear of the area until Deer Park police have completed their investigation.
Air quality monitoring is ongoing to ensure the safety of residents and workers in the surrounding area.
The fire was sparked just before 10 a.m. on Monday near Spencer Highway and East Boulevard close to the Brookglen neighborhood. The City of Deer Park confirmed that the fire was caused by an SUV crashing through a fence at a nearby Walmart and hitting an above-ground valve. The driver’s identity and condition remain unconfirmed.
Hundreds of residents and students from nearby schools were evacuated as a precaution. The heat from the fire also ignited a grass fire near the neighborhood, destroying a playground and causing power outages for thousands of customers. CenterPoint has since restored power to the affected areas.
This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as they become available.
Timeline of Events:
- 10 a.m. Monday: Fire ignites near Spencer Highway and East Boulevard
- 6 p.m. Wednesday: Residents allowed to return home
- 6 p.m. Thursday: Expected time for fire to be extinguished
If you have any information to share or need assistance, please reach out to local authorities. Stay safe and stay informed.