But officials say the mineral oil that burned at the facility near Brittmore and Kempwood poses no threat of exposure to the community.
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The Houston Fire Department said the fire at the Addicks Substation was contained about two-and-a-half hours after firefighters received calls of the incident at 9:44 a.m.
Firefighters were performing a defensive attack on the flames, and additional units from HFD's Hazmat and Rehab unit were called.
WATCH: ABC13's Steve Campion arrives at the scene shortly after fire breaks out
Mineral oil catches fire on CenterPoint substation
There were no injuries reported. CenterPoint Energy added the fire didn't impact any outages in the area.
The shelter order was lifted by 2:30 p.m.
Fire Chief Samuel Pena added that an estimated 15,000 gallons of mineral oil, which is used to cool the transformers, is held at the site. Foam was used to attack the flames, but most of the oil would have to burn off.
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In the wake of the first calls of the fire, multiple Eyewitness News viewers submitted photos and video of flames and smoke not too far away from Beltway 8.
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