(CNN) The petrochemical facility fire that brought towers of black clouds, heavy smoke and bursts of flames to Deer Park, Texas before it was extinguished early Wednesday was not an unfamiliar site for the area.

This region, which is dotted with chemical plants and refineries, is no stranger to fires and explosions. Over the years, there have been several such incidents, some deadly.

Here are some of the past chemical plant blazes to hit the Houston area.

Texas City, 1947

Refineries and oil storage tanks from the Monsanto chemical plant burn along the waterfront in Texas City, Texas, on April 16, 1947.

One of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever to hit the port at Texas City occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on April 16, 1947, reported CNN affiliate KTRK . A French cargo ship called the S.S. Grandcamp caught fire carrying fuel oil, ammunition and ammonium nitrate fertilizer.

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