A criminal investigation is underway after human remains were discovered inside the SUV that reportedly struck a natural gas pipeline in La Porte earlier this week and ignited a days-long fire, officials said.

The vehicle was towed out of the crash site Thursday as the investigation into the incident ramps up.

“Once removed, Harris County Medical Examiners were able to process the vehicle,” Deer Park Office of Emergency Management said in a statement Thursday. “During the processing, they were able to recover and remove human remains.”

The person discovered inside of the vehicle has not yet been identified.

The Deer Park Police Department and Harris County Medical Examiner are making preparations to begin next steps in the investigation, Kaitlyn Bluejacket, a Deer Park Office of Emergency Management spokesperson said.

No other information was immediately provided about the investigation.

“We kindly ask that media and citizens remain at a safe distance from the grounds so those conducting the investigation can do so without disturbance,” Bluejacket said.

The white SUV drove through a fence on the west side of the Walmart parking lot and struck an above-ground pipeline valve around 10 a.m. Monday. A fire erupted and residual product from the isolated pipeline has continued to burn off.

RELATED: La Porte pipeline fire could possibly cause pollution, despite officials saying otherwise

The fire continued to burn on Thursday morning, but was significantly smaller than days earlier this week, and an evacuation order for nearby residents was lifted Wednesday.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Thursday said the fire was one of the worst she has seen since the 2019 International Terminals Company fire in Deer Park that burned for three days.

The road closure on Spencer Highway from Luella Boulevard to Pasadena Boulevard remains in effect while the vehicle investigation is underway.

“Energy Transfer is working in conjunction with third-party contractors to contain the fire through installation of appropriate infrastructure,” according to the company that owns the pipeline.

Hidalgo said many families living near the pipeline are thinking about moving out of their homes.

“In terms of the long term impacts, first of all there’s mold in some homes, there’s mildew on clothing, there are windows that have been blown open,” Hidalgo said.

“That in theory is fixable, but many residents have said they will leave,” she said.

This is a developing story.