On Monday morning, September 16, 2024, a significant pipeline fire erupted in La Porte, Texas, a city located on the northwest shore of Galveston Bay. The incident, reported by the city's Office of Emergency Management, resulted in widespread power outages and necessitated evacuations in the vicinity.
La Porte, with a population of 35,124 as of the 2020 census, is part of the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. The city, founded in 1892, is known for its industrial presence, including the Port of Houston's Barbours Cut Container Terminal.
The fire's origin and the pipeline's contents remain undetermined. CenterPoint Energy, a major utility provider headquartered in Houston, confirmed that the incident was unrelated to their natural gas operations or equipment. The company, which serves more than 7 million metered customers across multiple states, reported that over 5,000 of its customers in the area were without power due to the fire.
In response to the situation, CenterPoint Energy stated:
"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."
The incident prompted immediate safety measures in the local community. A nearby Walmart store, part of the world's largest company by revenue with over 10,500 stores globally, was evacuated and closed. The La Porte Independent School District, established in 1906, implemented shelter-in-place protocols for students in schools near the fire site, ensuring their safety.
Texas, the second-largest U.S. state by area and population, is renowned for its significant oil and natural gas production. This incident underscores the importance of safety measures in areas with extensive energy infrastructure.
As the situation continues to develop, local authorities are focusing on containing the fire and ensuring public safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with energy infrastructure and the need for robust emergency response systems in industrial areas.