LA PORTE, Texas (KTRK) – Authorities are responding to a pipeline explosion near Spencer Highway and Summerton that started in Deer Park and spread to La Porte Monday morning.

The explosion began in Deer Park and then spread south under the Spencer Highway to La Porte, as the highway separates Deer Park to the north and La Porte to the south.

In one place, the flames spread and caused small grass fires, which emergency services are currently trying to keep under control.

According to Harris County land records, the fire started on or near CenterPoint property.

“CenterPoint Energy is monitoring the incident on Spencer Highway in LaPorte, which is unrelated to the company’s natural gas operations or facilities. We are also working with first responders. For safety reasons, the public should avoid this area until further notice from local emergency authorities. As soon as it is safe to do so, our electrical crews will go to the area to assess the damage to our transmission and distribution lines, poles and equipment and restore service to affected customers as safely and quickly as possible,” CenterPoint said in a statement to ABC13.

At last check, CenterPoint’s outage map showed nearly 4,000 customers without power in the Deer Park area.

The adjacent property is owned by the Coastal Industrial Water Authority, but the company’s general manager told us, “The fire has nothing to do with the CWA.”

La Porte city officials said firefighters responded to the fire in the 8700 block of Spencer Highway around 9:55 a.m.

Multiple agencies are on scene, including the Deer Park Office of Emergency Management, which is handling the west side of the fire, and La Porte, which is handling the east side.

Aerial footage shows firefighters spraying water on homes directly behind the fire. The front of the homes appears to be damaged by smoke and fire.

ABC13 is trying to find out how this fire started, if there are any injuries and what pollutants residents may be breathing in if they are in the area.

Road closures

The Spencer Highway is closed in both east and west directions.

East Boulevard is currently closed southbound to Spencer Highway. The area around Walmart and HEB is currently closed to traffic. You are asked to avoid the area and detour.

Evacuations

An evacuation has been ordered between Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway between Luella and Canada, the Brookglen neighborhood of La Porte. Avoid the area and follow police directions.

An evacuation and cooling center has been opened at the East Harris County Activity Center at 7340 Spencer Highway in Pasadena for anyone affected by the fire.

A reunification center has opened at the La Porte Recreation and Fitness Center on Broadway.

Protection on site

A shelter has been set up on the central campus of San Jacinto College in La Porte for staff and students until the all-clear is given.

Students and staff at Heritage Elementary School and College Park Elementary School in La Porte ISD are also in emergency shelter.

ABC13 has multiple crews en route to the scene and there is live coverage from SkyEye that you can stream live in the video player above.

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