A massive fire broke out at a chemical plant in La Porte, Texas, after a pipeline exploded. Eyewitness footage showed a huge column of flames rising into the sky, accompanied by thick black smoke. The incident caused panic among local residents and led to the evacuation of nearby areas.

According to the local emergency management department, the fire started around 10 a.m. At the time of writing, there were no reports of casualties, but authorities are taking all necessary measures to ensure safety. Due to the fire, traffic restrictions have been introduced - Spencer Highway is closed in both directions, and neighboring roads are also blocked.

The evacuation orders primarily affected the Brookglen neighborhood, where a large number of people live. At the same time, San Jacinto College issued a shelter-in-place order for students and staff on Central Campus. In a statement, the college noted that the fire had not spread to its campus, but the shelter-in-place order remains in effect until further notice from emergency services.

Local reporters also reported power outages in the area, further complicating the situation. Emergency services are still working at the scene, trying to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain unknown.