A petrochemical fire at a Deer Park plant could burn for two more days, officials said Monday morning, one day after the fire broke out.
Emergency crews, including the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, have been trying to control the fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Company, which erupted about 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
No injuries have been reported.
Deer Park officials on Monday lifted the shelter-in-place, but the fire has now spread to a total of eight tanks, one of which was empty, officials said. The affected tanks all contained gasoline components.
Risk of explosion is minimal, plant officials said, adding that crews are taking precautions to reduce that possibility.
Deer Park emergency officials said at 5:30 a.m. that no air quality readings from the fire at ITC “have exceeded action levels.”
Air quality levels are currently listed as “moderate,” according to AirNow.gov.
Low levels of particulate matter have been detected, and a “single volatile organic compound detection” has been found about 6 miles southwest of the facility, according to ITC news release.
The air quality readings are currently below hazardous levels, ITC said.
The chemicals in most of the involved tanks are used in the production of finished gasoline and base oil used in machine lubricants, according to a news release from Intercontinental Terminals Company. The chemical in one newly involved tank, Toluene, is used in the production of nail polish remover, glues and paint thinner, according to ITC.
The chemicals in the original two tanks that caught fire are Naphtha and Xylene, both components in gasoline. Naphtha can irritate the nose and throat when breathed, and poisonous gases are produced when it’s exposed to fire.
Deer park officials have re-opened State Highway 225. Portions of Independence Parkway will remain closed until further notice.
Meanwhile, Deer Park Independent School District closed all campuses today, as well as all after school activities. La Porte ISD also canceled classes.
“Emergency Services Director Robert Hemminger indicated that this is still a dynamic incident and air monitoring will continue,” according to a tweet from the Deer Park Emergency Management Office. “Residents are encouraged to monitor City social media for updates.”
Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.