Energy Transfer Confirms La Porte Fire, Report of 'Unknown' Vehicle

Energy Transfer confirmed to Hart Energy that the pipeline fire that broke out in La Porte, Texas, in the morning of Sept. 16. was at a value station along Spencer Highway on a 20-inch natural gas liquids line. 

Energy Transfer spokesperson Vicki Granado said the line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out, but did not give a timeline for how long the process could take. 

Energy Transfer also acknowledged reports of potential damage to its equipment caused by an unknown vehicle.

"We are aware of early reports indicating that an unknown passenger car entered our right-of-way and struck the valve location," Granado told Hart Energy in an emailed statement. 

The fire knocked out power to thousands of homes and business and prompted nearby evacuations. Videos posted by a local news station showed a massive flame near streets and businesses, Reuters initially reported. 

The La Porte Fire Department has evacuated all homes and businesses within a half mile of the incident site and air monitoring equipment is being set up in the area, Energy Transfer told Hart Energy. 

There were no injuries reported at the time. 

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) said its pipeline safety inspectors are working with state and local emergency responders at the scene. The RRC is notifying other pipeline operators in the corridor of the incident and getting information on measures they are taking to ensure safety of systems.

CenterPoint said the fire was not related to its natural gas operations or equipment, Reuters said. Over 5,000 CenterPoint Energy customers were without power, according to a posting on the company's website.

"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 company said.

Students attending schools near the scene of the fire were safe and sheltering in place, the La Porte Independent School District said.