HOUSTON — Seven people were injured in a natural gas line explosion and fire that led to evacuations in northwest Harris County Friday.
It happened in the 18700 block of Gleannloch Lakes. No homes appear to have been damaged so far, but residents within 500 feet of the fire were evacuated.
According to the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, a CenterPoint crew was excavating near a high-pressure natural gas line around 5:30 p.m.. The line was apparently hit and exploded.
Seven people — all CenterPoint employees — were injured. Five people were transported to the hospital, including one by Life Flight. Firefighters said two people who suffered minor injuries refused to be transported to the hospital.
Firefighters have capped the smaller gas line, but CenterPoint is still looking for the origination of the larger, 6-inch gas line, which is what’s feeding the fire. Officials said once CenterPoint turns that line off, the fire will go out quickly. Until then, firefighters are containing the fire and protecting the surrounding area from the flames.
Officials said the fire burned directly under a powerline, which eventually burned, and the power pole fell over.
The fire also burned at least 3 CenterPoint trucks.
