Residents evacuated after explosion on natural gas line sends flames into air in Fort Bend County, officials say

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – A pipeline explosion in Fort Bend County has forced residents in the area to evacuate Thursday afternoon.

The evacuation of residents was instated out of precautionary measures, according to the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management.

Officials say the explosion happened in the 15400 block of JoAnn near FM 1952, just west of Orchard, around 11:15 a.m.

Energy Transfer, the company that owns the pipeline, said the explosion happened in an isolated field and the control center immediately secured the area. There were no injuries, according to the company.

Officials are asking residents to avoid the area.

Energy Transfer sent the following statement regarding the incident:

“There was an incident today in Fort Bend County on the Old Ocean Pipeline at approximately 11:15 am. Our control center immediately shut in the line and the area was secured. There were no injuries. By shutting in the line and isolating the impacted section of the pipeline line, the fire was allowed to safely burn itself out by 12:30 pm. All appropriate regulatory agencies have been notified. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. There will be an investigation into the cause of the incident. We will not have any information on that until the investigation is complete.”