A natural gas liquids pipeline in Deer Park continued to burn on Tuesday, nearly 24 hours after an SUV crashed into a valve, sparking a fire that has forced evacuations and raised concerns over air quality in the Houston metropolitan area.
The blaze began Monday morning when the vehicle broke through a fence near a Walmart on Spencer Highway and struck an above-ground valve, according to Energy Transfer, the company that owns the pipeline. Four people, including a firefighter, were injured, with two requiring hospitalization.
Firefighters have worked through the night to contain the flames, which Energy Transfer says are being allowed to burn off naturally. The company has reduced pressure in the pipeline to minimize the intensity of the fire and has said this is the safest method of managing the incident.
The fire prompted evacuations in the surrounding area, including two elementary schools and several businesses. Emergency shelters have been set up at local facilities for displaced residents.
"The fire is so intense that nearby homes are catching fire, even with water being sprayed on them," said Mayor Jerry Mouton to KHOU. Many evacuees are still awaiting word on the fate of their homes, with some expecting total losses from fire and water damage.
A natural gas pipeline owned by @EnergyTransfer caught fire in Deer Park.
— Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) 🌻 (@CJAOurPower) September 17, 2024
Pipeline accidents and leaks happen routinely and are a climate menace, releasing nearly 9.7 billion cubic feet of gas into the atmosphere between 2019 and late 2023pic.twitter.com/faVZaUF7II
Air Quality Concerns
The fire has sparked growing concerns about air quality in Deer Park and nearby La Porte. Energy Transfer has hired a third-party air monitoring company, while Harris County Pollution Control is conducting additional checks.
ER Air Monitoring Map: https://t.co/GhkwwqSrlU
— HarrisCoPC (@HarrisCoPC) September 17, 2024
CAMP Dashboard: https://t.co/8WpvnjmWzs pic.twitter.com/z6fjCO0vKW
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) declared ozone days for Tuesday and Wednesday, warning that outdoor activities should be limited for sensitive individuals. Although authorities said there were "no immediate health risks" from the fire's emissions, public health and environmental experts from Houston Air Alliance have questioned the accuracy of these assessments.
Jennifer Hadayia, executive director of the Houston Air Alliance, criticized the early declarations of safety, noting that much of the emergency air monitoring data had yet to be fully analyzed.
"It's misinformation to say there's no risk without reviewing the full data," Hadayia said. "Most of the emergency air monitoring data has not been analized yet." According to Hadayia, Energy Transfer has by law 24 hours after the event is over to report the emissions.
She warned of the dangers of soot and particulate matter released into the air, which can pose serious health risks when inhaled. "We already struggle with air pollution in Houston, and this fire is only making it worse," Hadayia said.
Hadayia drew comparisons to the 2019 Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire, which burned for five days and left lingering pollutants. "They gave the same message then, and we later learned there were cancer-causing chemicals in the community for a week after the fire, despite initial assurances of safety," she said.
Hadayia believes the Deer Park fire could similarly impact the region's annual emissions totals once fully evaluated.
Ongoing Efforts
Energy Transfer said the burn-off is expected to continue through Tuesday, though it remains unclear when the fire will be fully extinguished. The company is providing temporary lodging for evacuees.
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