'Like Nuclear Bomb': Deadly Fertilizer Plant Blast Devastates TX Town

"A massive explosion at a fertilizer plant rocked the town of West, north of Waco, causing multiple casualties and leaving people trapped and buildings on fire.

Emergency personnel were bracing for the possibility of dozens of dead in the blast, which was reported at 7:53 p.m. and could be heard 45 miles away in Waxahachie.

Although authorities confirmed that at least five to 15 people had died, shortly before 5 a.m. they were still saying they did not have an official total. They have said they expect to find more bodies as they continue to search the area."

Selwyn Crawford, Tasha Tsiaperas and Tristan Hallman report for the Dallas Morning News April 17, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"West Fertilizer Plant Said in Report That It Presented No Risk" (Dallas Morning News)

"Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion: Did First Responders Have Proper Hazardous Material Fire Training?" (ABC News)

"Texas Fertilizer Explosion Recalls French Disaster" (Bloomberg Businessweek)

"Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion: Key Facts About The Blast's Cause, History And Victims" (AP)

"Fertilizer Plant Disaster Echoes Port Of Texas City Explosion, The Worst Industrial Accident Ever" (LiveScience)

"Ammonium Nitrate Mixed With Negligence Behind Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion – Experts" (RT)

"Live Updates: West Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion Injures More Than 100" (ABC News)

"Explosion Hits Fertilizer Plant North Of Waco, Texas" (CNN)

"West Fertilizer, Texas Plant, Cited For 2006 Permit Violation (VIDEO)" (AP)

"Chemical Safety Board Deploying to West Fertilizer Plant Accident " (Chemical Safety Board Release)

"Police: 5 to 15 People Killed in Texas Explosion" (Houston Chronicle)

"TCEQ: Staff at West Blast, Monitoring Environment" (Houston Chronicle)

"Blast Rips Through West, Texas, Fertilizer Plant" (NPR)

"Officials Confirm 5-15 Deaths After Massive Explosion of Fertilizer Plant in West" (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

"Plant Apparently Surprised West Schools With Controlled Burn in February" (West Independent School District/Ft. Worth Star-Telegram)


 

Source: Dallas Morning News, 04/18/2013