09/18/2026
A natural gas pipeline rupture and fire prompted evacuations, road closures and a major emergency response Friday morning near Jennings in Jeff Davis Parish, Louisiana.
The incident involved a 16-inch natural gas transmission pipeline operated by Texas Gas Transmission, part of Boardwalk Pipelines. The rupture occurred southwest of Jennings near Farm Supply Road and U.S. 90.
Residents Evacuated as Pipeline Burns
Emergency officials evacuated approximately 20 homes in the surrounding area beginning around 8:30 a.m. as natural gas escaped from the damaged pipeline and burned.
U.S. 90 was temporarily closed between Monger Road and Louisiana Highway 395 while emergency crews secured the area. Welsh-Roanoke Junior High School was also placed under a precautionary lockdown.
The pipeline was isolated following the rupture, allowing the remaining natural gas in the affected section to burn off.
No Injuries Reported
Authorities and the pipeline operator reported no fatalities or injuries associated with the incident.
The fire was eventually extinguished, and emergency personnel conducted air-quality testing around the affected area. Testing reportedly showed conditions were safe before residents were permitted to return.
The evacuation order was subsequently lifted, the school lockdown ended and U.S. 90 reopened.
Pipeline Shut In Following Rupture
The affected section of the 16-inch transmission pipeline has been shut in while the operator evaluates the damage and determines what repairs will be necessary.
As of the latest information available, a timeline for repairing and returning the affected pipeline section to normal service had not been announced.
The exact cause of the rupture also remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet publicly identified equipment failure, corrosion, excavation damage or another specific initiating event.
Current Status
The immediate emergency is under control. The natural gas release has been isolated, the fire is extinguished, evacuations have been lifted and no injuries have been reported.
The pipeline itself remains shut in while the investigation and damage assessment continue.
Incident Status: Confirmed
Fatalities: 0 reported
Injuries: 0 reported
Evacuations: Approximately 20 homes
Pipeline: 16-inch natural gas transmission line
Operator: Texas Gas Transmission / Boardwalk Pipelines
Location: Jeff Davis Parish near Jennings, Louisiana
Emergency Status: All clear; evacuation lifted
Cause: Under investigation
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