1 day ago
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A pipeline fire ignited after a vehicle struck a valve near Houston, prompting investigations and an evacuation of nearly 1,000 homes.
Juan A. Lozano reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- A vehicle crashed into a pipeline valve near Houston, causing an explosion and a massive fire that burned for over 12 hours.
- Nearby homes caught fire due to intense heat, and authorities evacuated 1,000 households while firefighters attempted to contain the flames.
- Air monitoring detected no immediate health risks, though the fire released soot and particulate matter into the environment.
Key quote:
“A lot of the house structures that are adjacent to that are still catching on fire even though we’re putting a lot of water on them.”
— Jerry Mouton Jr., Mayor of Deer Park.
Why this matters:
Pipeline explosions in Houston’s petrochemical region are common, raising concerns about the safety of the infrastructure and its impact on nearby communities and the environment. Residents must grapple with repeated disruptions and potential long-term risks.
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