Explosion Triggers Fire At Texas Oil Pipeline

An explosion at an oil pipeline has triggered a massive fire near the town of Encinal, Texas, according to reports.

The explosion took place at around 4am a quarter-of-a-mile from the town, close to Highway 44, according to KSAT News.

Velma Davila, city manager, said there were no evacuations in place.

She said the fire is expected to burn for several hours.

An elementary school in the town has cancelled classes for the day, FOX29 reported, after buses were unable to get into the town.

The fire is at a Lewis Energy Group pipeline facility.

Tony Travino, general counsel for the company, said in a statement: "We are currently investigating the cause of the incident.

"No injuries have been reported. Local fire and police are monitoring the situation and all precautions are being taken to protect the safety of residents of the Encinal community.

"Lewis Energy Group is undertaking appropriate efforts to extinguish the fire."

It comes after firefighters have been battling a wildfire that has torched six square miles in the centre of the state.

Texas A&M Forest Service spokeswoman Jessica Jackson said a DC-10 jet tanker was being sent from Chattanooga on Friday to aid firefighting in Smithville.

Parts of Bastrop State Park have been closed. That fire began on Tuesday.