In Deer Park, Texas, human remains were discovered inside an SUV that collided with an aboveground valve on a pipeline, leading to a fire that has been burning for four days, authorities revealed on Thursday. The fire has significantly reduced in size since it ignited on Monday, enabling police to access the pipeline area. On Thursday morning, investigators successfully retrieved the white SUV and removed it from the scene. During the processing of the vehicle by medical examiners from Harris County, human remains were found and removed, Deer Park officials confirmed in a statement.

Authorities mentioned that the process of identifying the remains will require some time to complete. The specifics regarding what caused the SUV to hit the pipeline valve have not been extensively disclosed. Energy Transfer, the company based in Dallas that possesses the pipeline, deemed the incident an accident on Wednesday. Initial investigations conducted by police and FBI agents in Deer Park found no indications of a terrorist threat.

The pipeline, a 20-inch-wide conduit, stretches for miles throughout the Houston area, transporting natural gas liquids through Deer Park and La Porte, both located southeast of Houston. It is anticipated that the fire will be fully extinguished by Thursday evening. In response to the fire, authorities evacuated approximately 1,000 homes initially and instructed individuals in nearby schools to seek shelter. Residents were permitted to return to their homes starting Wednesday evening.