What to know about the pipeline fire burning for a third day in Houston’s suburbs

Associated Press

DEER PARK, Texas (AP) — A pipeline fire that forced hundreds of people to flee their homes in the Houston suburbs is burning for a third day, with officials saying they don’t expect it to be extinguished until sometime Thursday evening. Officials say residents who had to evacuate will be allowed to return to their homes starting Wednesday evening. Energy Transfer is the Dallas-based owner of the pipeline. The company says the fire was an accident caused when a driver went off-road and hit a pipeline valve. It says the fire is now much smaller. The underground pipeline carried natural gas liquids through the suburbs of Deer Park and La Porte. The company and local officials say welders are installing specialized pipeline isolation equipment to help extinguish the fire.