The usually tranquil morning in La Porte, Texas, took a dramatic turn when an SUV crashed into a natural gas pipeline, igniting a massive fire that raged for hours, affecting over 100 homes. The incident occurred around 10 am on Monday, with eyewitnesses describing the scene as apocalyptic. Deborah Gamel, a resident who lives across from the playground next to the pipeline, recalled the intense heat that made her house feel like an oven.

The blaze, fueled by the liquid natural gas pipeline, damaged nearby homes, melted vehicles, and prompted the evacuation of residents in the affected area. Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fire, but not before it had spread to nearby homes and a park. Emergency services director Jamie Galloway estimated that four or five homes were damaged due to the radiant heat, while access to about 100 houses was cut off due to the proximity to the flames.

The incident has raised concern about air quality, with no reported air monitoring issues so far. Harris County hazmat officials will conduct an investigation once the flames have diminished. Preliminary reports suggest that the crash was not the result of any terrorist activity.

The pipeline, owned by Energy Transfer, has been isolated, and the company is working closely with local authorities to ensure the safe burning out of the residual product in the line. As the fire continues to burn, residents are left to wonder how long it will take for the blaze to be fully extinguished.

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