LA PORTE, Texas (KTRK) — Classes will continue for La Porte ISD on Tuesday after two schools in close vicinity of a pipeline fire were ordered to shelter in place Monday.
City of La Porte officials said the incident began at about 9:55 a.m. when a pipeline, owned by Energy Transfer, exploded near Spencer Highway and Canada. According to a statement from Deer Park police, an SUV drove through a fence on the west side of a Walmart parking lot and hit an above-ground pipeline valve.
The flames grew at one point, creating smaller grass fires that crews worked to keep under control. City leaders said the impact zone is about a half-mile from the fire.
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The explosion prompted evacuations for about 50 homes and shelter-in-place orders for Heritage and College Park elementary schools. Nearby roads, such as Pasadena Boulevard near East Boulevard, were closing, forcing drivers …