Houston-area pipeline fire prompts evacuations, shelter-in-place orders for thousands [Video]

A natural liquid gas pipeline erupted near Houston on Monday, prompting authorities to evacuate homes and businesses as shelter-in-place orders covered multiple schools.

Evacuation orders covered about 50 homes in Deer Park, where the fire originated, about 20 miles southeast of Houston. At least a few of the five residences nearest the blaze have been damaged, city officials said at a news conference.

A responding firefighter from nearby Pasadena was injured near the fire, officials from the neighboring city of La Porte said in a statement. Details about the extent of the injury or the firefighter’s condition were not available, and Pasadena fire officials did not immediately respond to a request for more information Monday.

Evacuation orders covered nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in La Porte, according to the city’s statement. In addition, the La Porte Independent School District said shelter-in-place orders were in effect at multiple campuses in the …