UPDATE: ITC provides deadline, additional info for incident claim forms

The petrochemical fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company reignited as crews tried to clean out the chemicals that remained in the tanks Friday, March 22, 2019, in Deer Park, Texas. The petrochemical fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company reignited as crews tried to clean out the chemicals that remained in the tanks Friday, March 22, 2019, in Deer Park, Texas. Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Staff Photographer Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 135 Caption Close UPDATE: ITC provides deadline, additional info for incident claim forms 1 / 135 Back to Gallery

The fires that began Sunday at a Deer Park chemical plant owned and operated by Intercontinental Terminals Co. prompted the company to open a claims hotline and website on Wednesday.

People seeking compensation for "income loss or other losses/damage caused by the incident," have through through June 25, 2019, to file a claim. Businesses and individuals can use the hotline and website to file claim forms.

There is a clause in both the individual and business forms that says people have to release the company and its affiliates from legal action. It states: "No payment will be made by or on behalf of ITC without the claimant executing a release of all claims against ITC and its underwriters."

A massive fire burned through the chemical storage facility for three days and wafted a miles-long plume of black smoke in the air. The fire was finally extinguished Wednesday.

But the city of Deer Park issued a shelter-in-place order after elevated benzene levels were detected in the chemical storage facility early Thursday morning, officials said.

About 4 a.m., benzene readings peaked at levels that could cause health concerns, according to data supplied by ITC. Benzene levels dropped significantly as the morning continued, ITC officials said.

At 11:40 a.m., county officials received consistent readings of benzene levels "below the actionable limit." Deer Park lifted that order Thursday after air quality readings showed the lower benzene levels.

Around that same time, Galena Park, which is located northwest of Deer Park, also lifted its shelter-in-place order.

The ITC claims call center number is 346-263-9766 and is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

RELATED: Deer Park plant fire: What you need to know about benzene

Peter Dawson is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | Peter.Dawson@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.