Deer Park Explosion & La Porte Pipeline Fires Burn for 4 Days & Kill 1, Sparking Several Investigations & Potential Claims

A Look at the Causes, Damage & Aftermath of the Deer Park Explosion & La Porte Fires in TX

An earth-shaking explosion, massive blazes, and a mysterious SUV wreck are now the center of multiple investigations following the recent Deer Park and La Porte, Texas, fires. Though the immediate threat of raging fires has been contained, authorities — and many others — are currently seeking answers about what exactly happened, who’s responsible for the damage, and whether it could (or should) have been prevented.

Here’s what we know so far, based on authorities’ statements, initial investigations, and the latest news reports.

What Caused the La Porte Pipeline Explosion & Deer Park, TX, Fires?

On Monday, September 16, 2024, just before 10:00 a.m., a white SUV was moving through a Walmart parking lot at 9025 Spencer Highway in Deer Park, Texas. As the vehicle approached the west side of the lot, it reportedly veered off into a grassy right-of-way that separates the superstore from a neighboring Deer Park suburb.

At that point, authorities say the SUV plowed through a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire, crashing into the above-ground pipeline equipment behind it. The valve equipment damaged in the wreck was part of the La Porte pipeline operated by Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based company that owns several miles of pipeline in the Houston area.

This SUV wreck quickly resulted in:

• An enormous explosion at the crash site, with a powerful boom that shook vehicles as far as ~1.4 miles away, according to a local news report
• Towering flames that soared hundreds of feet in the air, emitting ominous black smoke visible from miles away
• A raging natural gas fire not only adjacent to a Deer Park neighborhood and Walmart but also beneath high-voltage power lines

First responders from several agencies, including the Deer Park Police Department, responded to the scene quickly, arriving within minutes to try to stop the growing blaze from spreading.

Tragically, there was no way for the emergency crew to reach the SUV until the fires were contained.

The 4-Day Fight to Containment, More Risks & Local Evacuations

As firefighters and emergency crews worked tirelessly to contain the flames, these natural gas fires persisted, feeding off product still in the lines well after the pipeline had been shut down.

As this fire mercilessly continued, NASA Astronaut Don Pettit snapped a stunning photo of the La Porte pipeline fires from the International Space Station. His remarkable photo speaks to the intensity of these fires.

Pipeline fire in Deer Park, TX. ~10 miles north of Johnson Space Center, and even closer to my Earth home.

Nikon Z9, 200mm f2, 1/320 sec, ISO 25600. pic.twitter.com/KjRslUvh8M

— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) September 17, 2024

To prevent additional accidents and injuries as the blaze burned on, authorities:

1. Set up a perimeter: Areas surrounding the fire were blocked off, with access only available to police, firefighters, first responders, and other authorities.
2. Evacuated nearby residents and businesses: Thousands of locals were quickly advised to vacate their homes or businesses, with many being sent to nearby schools with just the clothes on their backs — and with zero idea about when they’d be able to return (or what they’d find when they did). Several facilities in the area also lost power.
3. Conducted initial air-quality testing: On the first day of the blaze alone, the natural gas fires released several chemicals, according to a report from Air Alliance Houston. That included hundreds of thousands of pounds of carbon monoxide, Isobutane, volatile organic chemicals, and other agents. A statement from the La Porte Office of Emergency Management explained that, “A third-party air monitor contracted by Energy Transfer and Harris County HazMat has checked San Jacinto College and both La Porte ISD campuses to ensure the safety of students and staff… there are no significant health concerns for the community [at this time].”
4. Carried out an initial terrorism investigation: FBI agents arrived at the scene to determine whether the explosion and resulting fires were the product of a terrorist attack. Although a lot remains unknown about this terrible accident, authorities have ruled out terrorism as a factor.

Ultimately, the La Porte pipeline fires weren’t contained until around 7 p.m. Thursday, September 19th. Over the more than 81 hours that it took to extinguish this blaze:

• Crews worked around the clock to set up isolation equipment on either side of the damaged area.
• Nitrogen was used to “purge” the contained area and put out the fire after the isolation mechanisms were in place.
• Technicians repaired the damaged pipeline equipment.

Part of the reason that the fires persisted for so long is reportedly that they needed to consume themselves. According to Energy Transfer:

The safest way to manage this process is to let the products burn off.

Many evacuees were not able to return home until Wednesday at 6 p.m., and several came back to extensive damaged property.

La Porte Pipeline Fire Injuries & Death

After the fires were out, officials shared some more details about the victims of this horrific event, reporting that:

• One person died: A victim was discovered in the SUV, but authorities have not disclosed any specifics about this individual.
• Four were injured: A firefighter and three others were hurt during these fires, though officials have not revealed more about the nature or severity of their injuries. Crucially, authorities expect additional injuries to be reported in weeks ahead, as the true toll of this tragedy starts to come to light.

Along with these losses, several locals returned home — or back to business — to find burned structures, melted vehicles, smoke damage, water damage, and even mold. For many the property damage caused by the La Porte fires has rendered their homes unlivable and/or their businesses inoperable.

As countless victims and affected communities continue to pick up the pieces, many are now eager for ongoing investigations, including a criminal investigation, to yield more information that could yield justice.

With that, some unknowns that could be clarified by these inquiries may include the following:

• Did driver behaviors and/or vehicle malfunctions contribute to the crash?
• Was the driver conscious in the moments leading up to the wreck?
• Was the above-ground pipeline valve equipment sufficiently protected from potential interference or accidents?
• Did any pipeline equipment, procedural failures, or maintenance oversights contribute to the Deer Park explosion and the resulting fires?
• What can or should be done differently going forward to minimize the risk that this would ever happen again?
• Who or what parties may be liable for the explosion, fires, and all the losses they caused?

The Amaro Law Firm is currently investigating the La Porte fires, focused on answering these and other questions while helping victims navigate their legal options for recovery.

How to Find Out More

If you suffered injuries or losses due to the La Porte pipeline fire, you may have one or more legal claims and limited time to seek justice.

Before accepting a direct payout from Energy Transfer or signing anything related to this event, make sure you understand your rights and legal options. If you’re truly serious about recovering, it also helps to have a pipeline fire injury and property damage lawyer in your corner.