According to authorities, human remains have been found in the SUV that collided with a pipeline carrying liquid natural gas this week, resulting in an explosion and a multi-day fire that was finally put out on Thursday.
“The Deer Park Police Department was able to access the site and remove the white vehicle associated with the pipeline fire incident,” the police department stated. “Once removed, Harris County Medical Examiners were able to process the vehicle. During the processing, they were able to recover and remove human remains.”
The identification of the remains “will take some time,” according to Deer Park police. Police stated, “This has turned into a criminal investigation and will continue to be actively conducted until more information becomes available.”
The car struck an above-ground pipeline after smashing through a fence close to a Walmart, setting off a fire that shot smoke and flames high into the air. Cars and houses nearby had portions melted by the strong heat.
The pipeline’s owner, Energy Transfer, announced in a statement on Wednesday that instead of going after the fire head-on, it would be extinguishing it by cutting off its fuel.
“When the isolation equipment is installed, we will purge the short section with nitrogen, which will extinguish the fire, and begin the repairs,” the company stated. “The safest way to manage this process is to let the products burn off.”
KHOU captured footage of the pipeline site on Thursday, revealing little flames that momentarily burst from the tip of a pipe before going out.
The explosion earlier this week resulted in the evacuation of about 100 residences within a half-mile radius, according to Jamie Galloway, the city of Deer Park’s director of emergency services.
According to Bluejacket, the evacuation order was revoked on Wednesday night, allowing all residents to return home. The municipal spokeswoman continued, “At this time, residents living close to the pipeline site have no reason to fear for their safety.”
The explosion also caused damage to a few electrical lines and other equipment, which resulted in localized power outages, according to Houston-based utility CenterPoint Energy.
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According to a statement released by the firm on Thursday, it has started fixing the damaged equipment and has given most of the residences that lost power back service.
“CenterPoint crews have been able to safely access the area to perform repairs and have restored all customers who are able to receive power. We remain in contact with the small number of customers who must have additional repairs completed before they are able to be restored. Putting safety first, the public should continue to follow directives of local emergency officials,” the utility stated in an email.
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