Isabella Flores
In March 2019, a petrochemical blaze occurred at a site along the Houston Ship Channel in Deer Park, Texas. The fire, which started when a tank containing naphtha ignited, spread to five other tanks and burned for several days. While there were no reported injuries among ITC staff, nearby residents were encouraged to remain indoors. The fire affected tanks containing chemicals used in gasoline, plastics, paint thinner, and machine lubricants. This incident raised concerns about air quality and potential health risks for residents in the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Houston Ship Channel in Deer Park, Texas |
| Date | March 2019 |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Cause | Leak from a tank containing naphtha |
| Impact on Nearby Residents | Shelter-in-place order was imposed, later lifted |
| Health Concerns | Potential damage to the central nervous system from exposure to toluene |
| Environmental Impact | Detection of volatile organic compounds up to six miles away |
| Tank Contents | Naphtha, xylene, toluene, base oils |
| Number of Tanks Affected | Six tanks |
| Firefighting Strategy | Used foam fire retardant, drained naphtha to remove fuel source |
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What You'll Learn
- The fire started due to a leak from a tank containing naphtha
- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality did not detect immediate health concerns
- Firefighters used foam fire retardant to prevent the fire from spreading
- The fire caused the cancellation of classes in nearby school districts
- The fire was extinguished four days after it started
The fire started due to a leak from a tank containing naphtha
On Sunday, March 17, 2019, a fire broke out at a petrochemical plant along the Houston Ship Channel in Deer Park, Texas. The blaze was caused by a leak from a tank containing naphtha, a highly flammable liquid that is the main component of lighter fluid. Naphtha is a petroleum product resulting from the distillation of natural gas or crude oil and can cause eye and nasal irritation.
The fire at the ITC-owned plant, which is located near League City, Texas, sent a column of black smoke into the air and prompted nearby residents to shelter in place. Schools in Deer Park and La Porte were also shut down as a precaution while testing was conducted. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality conducted air emissions tests and did not detect any immediate health concerns at ground level around the plant as of midday Monday. However, the presence of a volatile organic compound was detected six miles away from the facility.
Firefighters worked to drain naphtha from the burning tank to deprive the fire of fuel. They also used a foam fire retardant on nearby tanks to prevent the fire from spreading. The blaze was expected to burn for several days, and ship access to docks at the ITC and Vopak terminals was restricted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
While the fire caused significant disruption and concern, there were no reported injuries among ITC staff or nearby residents. The cause of the leak that ignited the fire was not immediately known and remained under investigation.
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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality did not detect immediate health concerns
In March 2019, a petrochemical blaze occurred at a site along the Houston Ship Channel in Deer Park, Texas. The fire started when a leak from a tank containing naphtha, a volatile substance used in gasoline and plastics, ignited and quickly spread to other tanks.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) had not detected any immediate health concerns at ground level around the plant as of midday Monday. The state sought to bring in a specialized aircraft to monitor emissions at higher altitudes. Firefighters used a foam fire retardant on nearby tanks to prevent the fire from spreading, and the U.S. Coast Guard restricted ship access to docks at the ITC and Vopak terminals.
Despite the TCEQ's initial assessment, there were ongoing concerns about the potential health impacts of the fire. Toluene, a substance used in the production of nail polish remover, glue, and paint thinner, was present in one of the burning tanks. Exposure to toluene in the air can potentially damage the central nervous system. ITC, the company that owned the storage facility, set up a claims hotline and website for residents who believed they had suffered losses or damage from the fire.
Air emissions tests conducted near the facility detected the presence of a volatile organic compound six miles away, but the levels were below those considered hazardous. Ryan Sitton, a commissioner with the Railroad Commission of Texas, stated that numerous teams were constantly monitoring air quality, and he was confident that the people in the area were not at elevated risk.
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Firefighters used foam fire retardant to prevent the fire from spreading
In March 2019, a petrochemical blaze occurred at a site along the Houston Ship Channel in Deer Park, Texas. The fire began when a tank containing volatile naphtha ignited and quickly spread to other tanks. Six tanks were still burning and surrounded by nine other storage tanks within a spill containment dike. To prevent the fire from spreading further, firefighters used a foam fire retardant on the nearby tanks. This was an effective method to limit the fire's spread.
The foam fire retardant played a crucial role in containing the blaze and protecting surrounding structures. By applying the retardant to the nearby tanks, firefighters created a barrier that hindered the fire's progression. This proactive measure helped to safeguard those tanks from ignition, reducing the potential fuel sources for the fire.
The foam fire retardant likely consisted of a mixture of water, foam concentrate, and air, generated by specialized equipment. This combination produced a stable foam blanket that smothered the flames and prevented their contact with the fuel source. The foam also helped to cool the tanks, reducing the risk of further ignition or explosions.
The decision to use foam as a fire retardant was a strategic one. Foam is particularly effective in suppressing liquid fuel fires, such as those involving naphtha, xylene, and toluene. By applying the foam, firefighters could tackle the blaze more effectively and efficiently, increasing their chances of bringing it under control and, ultimately, extinguishing it.
The use of foam fire retardant was just one of the tactics employed by firefighters to combat this challenging blaze. Their efforts also included draining naphtha from one of the tanks to deprive the fire of fuel and utilizing water to cool the tanks and prevent reignition. The successful containment and extinguishing of the fire were a testament to the skills, quick thinking, and resourcefulness of the firefighting crews.
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The fire caused the cancellation of classes in nearby school districts
A petrochemical blaze at a site along the Houston Ship Channel in Deer Park, Texas, started on Sunday when a tank containing naphtha, xylene, and toluene ignited. Toluene is used in the production of nail polish remover, glue, and paint thinner. The fire spread to five other tanks, and firefighters used foam fire retardant on nearby tanks to prevent further spreading.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reported that they had "not detected any immediate health concerns at ground level" around the plant as of midday Monday. However, some health officials expressed ongoing concern about the health impacts of the fire.
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The fire was extinguished four days after it started
A fire at a Texas chemical plant in Deer Park was extinguished on Wednesday, four days after it started on Sunday afternoon. The fire began in a single tank at ITC, a storage facility, and quickly spread to a second tank. The tanks held naphtha and xylene, fuels used in gasoline and plastics, and toluene, a volatile liquid used to make nail polish remover and paint thinner. Other tanks held base oils commonly used as machine lubricants.
Firefighters used a foam fire retardant on nearby tanks to try to limit the fire from spreading. A specialty firefighting team from Louisiana was also brought in to battle the blaze, and they used foam and water. By late Tuesday, four tanks remained burning at the facility – down from seven earlier that day. A fireball erupted over the facility on Tuesday, and the battle had moved from a defensive mode to an offensive one, according to Ray Russell, a spokesman for Channel Industries Mutual Aid, a nonprofit that handles firefighting.
On Wednesday, firefighting crews on the scene reported that all tank fires had been extinguished. "Crews continue to spray foam and water on the tanks to facilitate cooling and prevent reigniting of the remaining material," Intercontinental Terminals Company said in a news release.
There were no reported injuries among ITC staff, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had "not detected any immediate health concerns at ground level" around the plant as of midday Monday. However, air emissions tests detected the presence of a volatile organic compound six miles away from the facility. Levels were below those considered hazardous, according to ITC. Despite assurances from officials, some health officials expressed ongoing concern about the health impacts of the fire.
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