Harris County Sues ITC Over Deer Park Fire

HOUSTON — Harris County has filed a lawsuit against Intercontinental Terminals Co., a day after county commissioners voted to pursued legal action.

Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to file a lawsuit against ITC in Deer Park, where a massive chemical erupted last week.

The lawsuit cites that ITC is responsible for burning and air emissions in violation of the state’s Clean Air Act.

This is the third entity to announce any litigation against ITC since the incident. On March 22, a group of La Porte residents filed a lawsuit against ITC seeking $2 million in damages for lost wages, medical costs and other issues related to the accident.

Acting on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit the same day, citing flagrant violations of the Clear Air Act.

RELATED: 2 Separate Lawsuits Filed In Deer Park Chemical Plant Fire

It's possible that other litigant could file suit in the coming days and weeks, particularly as it relates to the Houston Ship Channel, the San Jacinto River and the City of Deer Park.

Areas of the Houston Ship Channel — one of the largest and busiest ports in the U.S. — has been closed to maritime traffic since Friday, due to a dike wall at the ITC facility, which leaked hazardous chemicals into the ship channel after the fire.

The fire ignited on March 17, and over nearly four days, destroyed nine of the farm's 15 tanks, and spewed dangerous and toxic chemicals into the surrounding community. The incident brought the Deer Park community to a standstill, and resulted in school closures at several area school districts.

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