More Lawsuits Filed In Deer Park Chemical Plant Fire

DEER PARK, TX -- Two separate lawsuits were filed Friday against the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) petrochemical facility that burned for nearly four days, spreading thick and poisonous fumes over multiple communities last week.

Four residents filed the first of the lawsuits against ITC, seeking $2 million in punitive damages, officials said.

The lawsuit claims the explosion and subsequent fire at the ITC petrochemical plant, which erupted March 17, spread fumes and poisonous gases throughout the community, and made them ill.

As a result of the fire, the Deer Park community was forced to shelter in place multiple times, and schools were closed for four days in Deer Park and other neighboring school districts.

Click here to read the text of the lawsuit.

Also on Friday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced in a press release that he'd filed an environmental lawsuit against ITC on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and civil penalties in connection with a fire at ITC’s Deer Park petrochemical storage site, and alleges that the fire released air pollution in violation of the Texas Clean Air Act.

The fire caused the release of several air contaminants, including benzene. Most of the chemicals identified in the fire are used in the production of gasoline, and short-term exposure to their fumes can cause fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.

“The state of Texas works hard to maintain good air quality and will hold ITC accountable for the damage it has done to our environment,” Attorney General Paxton said. “ITC has a history of environmental violations, and this latest incident is especially disturbing and frightening. No company can be allowed to disrupt lives and put public health and safety at risk.”

TCEQ, which continues to monitor the air quality in the affected areas about 20 miles east of Houston, released the following statement:

“I would like to thank the Attorney General for acting so quickly on TCEQ’s request to enforce against ICT, LLC,” stated TCEQ Executive Director Toby Baker. “Due to the dynamic, ongoing investigation of this incident, only air quality violations have been cited in the state of Texas lawsuit against ICT, LLC. Any additional violations, including surface water quality, will be referred to the Office of Attorney General for civil enforcement as part of this action.”

The federal Chemical Safety Board, which investigates serious chemical accidents, announced yesterday that it is opening an investigation into the ITC fire.

Click here to view a copy of the state's lawsuit.

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