DEER PARK, Texas -- A pipeline fire that burned in a Houston suburb for four days finally went out Thursday as authorities announced a criminal investigation into the blaze that had roared into a towering flame, forcing neighborhoods to evacuate and melting parts of nearby cars.

With the fire substantially smaller since it began on Monday, police were able to access the area around the pipeline in Deer Park. Investigators removed the white SUV and towed i

Residents in suburban Houston returned to their homes Thursday after evacuating from an ongoing natural gas pipeline fire. Officials say the case turned into a criminal investigation as they work to identify the remains found in the SUV that struck the pipeline.