A fire at a petrochemical plant outside of Houston briefly reignited Friday, sending up another plume of black smoke at a site where a blaze had erupted earlier this week. The fire was preceded by a chemical spill into the Houston Ship Channel. As of Friday afternoon, the fire at a tank farm operated by the Intercontinental Terminals Co. In the city of Deer Park, just east of Houston, appeared to be contained. The cause of Friday's fire is still unknown. There are no reported injuries. 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.
