Explosion and Fire Rocks DeSoto Parish

An explosion and fire in DeSoto Parish shook a small community in DeSoto Parish. It happened on the Catuna Road just off of Highway 171 Monday morning.

A natural gas pipeline exploded and burst into flames which could be seen for miles.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office evacuated nearby residents off of highway 171 for several hours.

But later in the day the evacuation was lifted.  The Sheriff's Office says "this site is now shut in and under control. It may continue to burn but the immediate danger to the public has been lifted. All area residents may return to their homes."

There's no word yet on what caused the pipeline to break and burst into flames. No one was injured in the explosion or fire.

Highway 171 was closed for a while during this emergency and traffic was rerouted, but the highway is now back open.