Residents who evacuated allowed back into their homes 2 days after Deer Park pipeline blast
DEER PARK, Texas (KTRK) -- La Porte and Deer Park residents who were evacuated due to Monday's pipeline explosion are being allowed back into their homes on Wednesday after two days of waiting out the flames.
The timeline had been pushed back for the ongoing fire on the border of Deer Park and La Porte to finally burn itself out, with officials initially saying it would likely happen some time Wednesday.
The evacuation for that area has since been lifted as crews make repairs expected to be completed on Thursday. Once the repairs are complete, officials said the fire is anticipated to be extinguished within two to three hours.
Spencer Highway remains closed between Luella Avenue and East/Canada Boulevard during that time, Deer Park officials said.
The Walmart near the blast site is expected to reopen Thursday morning, with all entrances and exits off Spencer Highway closed.
The fire ignited around 10 a.m. Monday after a vehicle crashed into an above-ground pipeline valve off Spencer Highway, according to investigators.
Officials thought it would have burned out Tuesday, but it's still going.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Deer Park pipeline burnoff estimated to last through early Tuesday morning, company says
Harris County Judge Linda Hidalgo said once the fire is out, first responders will try to re-ignite the site to burn off any remaining product.
In an update on Tuesday morning, the Deer Park Office of Emergency Management said the fire is significantly smaller.
Energy Transfer, the company that owns the pipeline, said air quality monitoring continues to show no impact.
"Energy Transfer is actively working to contain and repair a pipeline leak that occurred in the Deer Park area. The company is prioritizing the safety of the community and environment as it implements its emergency response plan," Deer Park officials said in a statement Wednesday. "Initial assessments conducted by local authorities and Energy Transfer revealed a pressure drop at the affected pipeline section. In response, the company immediately shut down the offsite flaring process and initiated procedures to isolate the leak. Crews are currently constructing stopples to secure the pipeline ends."
According to Hidalgo's office, there's no immediate risk for healthy people, adding that Harris County Pollution Control has been testing the air around the fire.
At first, there were elevated readings which caused concern, but officials said new data shows that initial equipment used to test was faulty. Still, if you're a senior, pregnant, or have chronic health issues, you're being advised to stay inside.
In relation to power restoration, Energy Transfer said CenterPoint has restored power to a significant number of homes and businesses, advising that everything that can receive power will have power by Wednesday.
Authorities believe the driver of a white SUV drove through a fence on the west side of the nearby Walmart parking lot in the 9000 block of Spencer Highway, hitting the pipeline valve.
Witnesses told ABC13 that when the SUV hit the gas pipeline valve, it went airborne, then came the flames.
SEE ALSO: Deer Park pipeline blast witnesses describe airborne SUV: 'The car goes up in the air and back down'
The resultant explosion started in Deer Park and then spread south under Spencer Highway to La Porte, as the highway separates Deer Park to the north and La Porte to the south.
Further details about the driver and her condition have not been released.
Witness Hank Williams said he was at a nearby Discount Tire when he heard a loud boom.
"I stepped around the counter, and I could see the vehicle, and it was on fire," Williams said.
He said when it went off, he saw that vehicle go about 8 or 10 feet in the air, and then he saw it land.
Energy Transfer identified the burning substance as liquid natural gas.
Around 50 homes near the fire had to be evacuated.
In the wake of the event, Energy Transfer set up a helpline for anyone displaced and/or impacted by the fire at 855-430-4491.
The company said impacted landowners who have reached out for assistance were provided lodging at area hotels.
A Deer Park official told ABC13 that four people were injured from the event, including a firefighter with minor injuries. The four also include two hospitalizations and two heat-related injuries.
La Porte ISD is collecting donations for the families affected by the fire.
A drop-off donation station has been set up at the South Region Driving School on 911 South Broadway St.
Items needed are prepackaged snacks, including water, crackers and granola bars, and hygiene products such as lotion, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
13 INVESTIGATES: Energy Transfer waits hours before providing info on pipeline fire
