A Houston, Texas natural gas pipeline has just exploded, creating a large plume of fire and smoke visible throughout the sky.
Footage of the explosion could be seen live, as the video reveals the intensity of the fire and smoke.
Users online were also quick to post photographs of the pipeline engulfed in flames.
Pipeline explosion: 15400 JoAnn near FM 1952. This is west of Orchard. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/DEdiDRw8gp
— Fort Bend Pct 1 Constable (@FortBendPct1) July 7, 2022
The explosion occurred in a rural field in Fort Bend County. Thankfully the responding fire marshal was able to confirm that no nearby structures were in immediate danger from the fire.
Update: No structures threatened. Media: POC is FBC Fire Marshal https://t.co/mTRrfEz5oU pic.twitter.com/E0wPztJPjj
— Fort Bend Pct 1 Constable (@FortBendPct1) July 7, 2022
However, just as a precaution, individuals in nearby buildings were evacuated. Currently, there have been no reports of any injuries resulting from the fire.
Update of pipeline explosion as of 12:00 p.m. 7/7/2022… Pipeline company is enroute to the site and containment of the fire in underway but will likely take some time. Residents surrounding the area have been evacuated out of precaution.
No reports of any injuries at this time pic.twitter.com/dDdXfdIM2W
— Fort Bend County Office of HS&EM (@fbcoem) July 7, 2022
It is still unclear what exactly caused the pipeline to explode.
According to Houston CW39, Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Constable Chad Norvell shared that the pipeline had been carrying natural gas.
Authorities will be unable to touch the pipeline until it burns all the residing gas inside. Afterwards, the hope would be to fix and or seal off the damaged section of the pipeline.
Apparently the fire was visible from as far as 30 miles away, according to reporters flying in a Houston KTRK-TV helicopter.
In light of these recent circumstances, it is important to note that Texas is the state that produces the most fossil fuels in the nation.
