The Deer Park chemical fire was burning into a fourth day before it was extinguished early Wednesday morning. Since it started Sunday at the Intercontinental Terminals Co. in Deer Park, officials have been relaying information about the burning chemicals and the huge plume of smoke visible for miles. However, we still don't know how the fire started or potential long-term impacts to the environment. Here's the basics of what we do know about the fire so far: It was extinguished by 3 a.m., but firefighters are continuing to cool the tanks with foam and water to prevent re-ignition. The fire was contained within a block of 15 storage tanks on the southern edge of the plant. Tanks that caught fire were storing gasoline blends, base oils, xylene, pyrolysis gasoline and naptha.
The intensity of the fire fluctuated, affecting up to eight tanks at its peak.