DEER PARK, Texas – A large pipeline fire has caused concern for many residents in the area, including what is emitting into the air.
According to the Deer Park Police Department, it is a natural gas.
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The pipeline, owned by Energy Transfer, is burning a chemical called Y Grade NGL.
PHOTOS: Sky 2 aerials show large pipeline fire in Deer Park
According to Energy Rogue, Y Grade is a term used to refer to a specific product resulting from the natural gas processing process. It is the combination of various natural gas liquids (NGLs) that are separated from the natural gas stream.
The pipeline fire happened at 9:55 a.m., prompting evacuations, shelter-in-place and road closures.
Follow latest updates about the incident here.
Energy Transfer released the following statement:
We experienced an incident this morning in La Porte, Texas, at a valve station along Spencer Highway for a 20″ natural gas liquids line that resulted in a fire. There are no reports of injuries at this time. The LaPorte Fire Department is on the scene and has evacuated all homes and businesses within a half mile of the incident site. The line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out. We have no timeline at this point on how long that process will take, but we are working closely with local authorities. We are aware of early reports indicating that an unknown passenger car entered our right-of-way and struck the valve location. Air monitoring equipment is in the process of being set up in the area. We will continue to release details as they become available.
The Railroad Commission of Texas released the following statement:
Railroad Commission of Texas pipeline safety inspectors are investigating the fire that occurred at an Energy Transfer natural gas liquid pipeline in La Porte Monday morning. Energy Transfer has shut down the portion of the pipeline that caught fire. RRC inspectors will work with state and local emergency responders at the scene.
The fire occurred in a pipeline corridor, and 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 their systems.