Texas pipeline fire is out, vehicle and human remains are found

A fire that erupted from a Texas natural gas pipeline that was struck by a vehicle died down and was extinguished Thursday, the city of Deer Park said.

A car struck the Energy Transfer pipeline on Monday and caused the fire, which sent a geyser of flame into the air and caused nearby homes to be evacuated, officials said. That burned vehicle and human remains were found Thursday, the city said.

“This has developed into a criminal investigation and will be actively ongoing,” according to the government of Deer Park, a city of around 34,000 around 15 miles east of Houston.

Evacuation orders had covered nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in La Porte, which is just to the east of Deer Park.

The fire erupted around 10 a.m. Monday, and by Thursday night Energy Transfer said that it had extinguished, Deer Park said.

Police are investigating the incident, the city said. Most residents have been able to return to their homes and businesses, it said.