A fire that broke out after a vehicle damaged a Texas natural gas pipeline died down and was extinguished Thursday, according to the city of Deer Park.
On Monday, an automobile struck the Energy Transfer pipeline, causing a fire that launched a geyser of flames into the air and forced the evacuation of surrounding residences, according to officials. The city reported that a charred vehicle and human remains were discovered on Thursday.
“This has developed into a criminal investigation and will be actively ongoing,” according to the government of Deer Park, a city of approximately 34,000 people about 15 miles east of Houston.
Nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in La Porte, located immediately east of Deer Park, were subject to evacuation orders.
The fire broke out at 10 a.m. Monday and was declared extinguished by Energy Transfer on Thursday night, according to Deer Park.
The city reported that police are investigating the event. The majority of locals have been able to return to their homes and businesses, the report stated.