LA PORTE, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities are responding to a pipeline fire near Spencer Highway and Summerton in La Porte on Monday morning. The flames have also spread, creating smaller grass fires that crews are working to keep under control.
According to Harris County Property Records, the fire is happening on or right near a CenterPoint – owned property.
“CenterPoint Energy is monitoring the incident on Spencer Highway in LaPorte, which is unrelated to the company’s natural gas operations or equipment. We are also cooperating with first responders. Putting safety first, the public should avoid this area until further notice from local emergency officials. When it is safe to do so, our electric crews will go into the area to assess the damage to our transmission and distribution power lines, poles and equipment and begin restoring service to impacted customers as safely and quickly as possible,” CenterPoint told ABC13 in a statement.
At last check, CenterPoint’s outage map is showing just under 4,000 customers without power in the Deer Park area.
The adjacent property is owned by Coastal Industrial Water Authority, however the company’s executive director told us, “The fire is not associated with CWA.”
Officials with the City of La Porte said the fire department responded to the fire in the 8700 block of Spencer Highway at about 9:55 a.m.
Multiple agencies are responding to the scene, including the Deer Park Office of Emergency Management, which is handling the west side of the fire, and La Porte, which is handling the east side.
ABC13 is working to learn how this fire happened, if there are any injuries, and what residents may be breathing in, if they’re in the area.
Road closures
Spencer Highway is closed in both eastbound and westbound directions.
East Boulevard is currently closed southbound toward Spencer Highway. The area surrounding Walmart and H-E-B is currently blocked off to traffic. You’re asked to avoid the area and reroute.
Evacuations
An evacuation has been ordered between Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway between Luella and Canada, the Brookglen neighborhood. Avoid the area and follow law enforcement direction.
Shelter in place
The San Jacinto College Central Campus has issued a shelter in place for employees and students until the all clear is provided.
Students and staff at Heritage Elementary School and College Park Elementary School are also under a shelter in place in La Porte ISD.
ABC13 has several crews headed to the scene as well as live coverage from SkyEye, which you can stream live in the video player above.
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