Major pipeline explosion in Texas

Authorities in Houston, Texas are responding to Monday’s oil pipeline explosion in Deer Park near La Porte, a small town of over 36,000 people.

Firefighters in La Porte, Texas, about 30 miles east of Houston, are battling a large pipeline fire.

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The incident prompted mass evacuations and mobilized a large team of firefighters. The bushfire spread rapidly, and a flame several meters high has continued to burn for hours following the explosion, which occurred at around 9:55 a.m. local time.

The flames damaged several infrastructures and started several small brush fires, complicating the task of firefighters, who had to douse several houses all around the explosion zone.

The cause of the fire remains uncertain, although initial reports suggest that a car hit the pipeline, causing the explosion.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported to date, but as a precautionary measure, residents have been ordered to evacuate the area.

Impressive images taken from a helicopter reveal a blackened area around the flames, which continue to rise to several hundred meters in height as firefighters work to bring the blaze under control.