Emergency responders are tackling a major pipeline fire in suburban Houston, Texas, as residents in some surrounding communities have been told to evacuate, local authorities said on Monday.
The pipeline fire began just before 10am local time on Monday in La Porte, a town about 25 miles from Houston in Harris county, city officials said.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Evacuation has been ordered in areas between Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway, between Luella and Canada Road, the Brookglen neighborhood area, officials said.
Officials from Deer Park, a city just under 10 miles from La Porte, also said on Monday that residents near the fire were “likely to be evacuated due to power loss”.
Officials have urged local residents to avoid the area.
As of 12pm ET on Monday, just over 4,500 residents were experiencing power outages in Harris county.
La Porte independent school district announced on Monday morning that the schools in the affected area were sheltering in place and that everyone was safe.
Authorities at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, urged employees and students on campus to shelter in place on Monday morning.