Texas fertilizer plant explosion
* West is located about 20 miles north of Waco and 80 miles south of Dallas.
* Blast was so strong that it registered as a magnitude 2.1 seismic tremor.
* 50 to 75 homes were damaged by the explosion and a fire that followed.
* A nearby 50-unit apartment complex had been reduced to "a skeleton standing up." - Texas Public Safety Department spokesman D.L. Wilson said
* 133 people had been evacuated from the nursing home, which was heavily damaged, spokesman D.L. Wilson said
* Three hospitals in Waco and Dallas receiving the bulk of patients treating more than 160 injuries combined.
* Hotline number to get more information or to find love ones in West, TX: 254-202-1100
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Location of West Fertilizer Company
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Waco Police Sergeant W. Patrick Swanton said investigators would examine whether the blaze was the result of foul play or a chemical reaction, adding that the blast site was being treated as a crime scene for the time being.
We are not indicating that it is a crime, but we don't know...What that means to us is that until we know it is an industrial accident, we will work it as a crime scene.
- Waco Police Sergeant W. Patrick Swanton told reporters early on Thursday, some nine hours after the blast.
He said there was no immediate evidence of a crime. -
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The remains of a fertilizer plant burn after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone
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#westexplosion at least 10 buildings are on fire in the town right now.by WFAA-TV via twitter 4/18/2013 12:49:47 PM -
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An explosion at a fertiliser plant in West, Texas, has destroyed a number of buildings in an residential area on the outskirts of the town.
This video features footage of the smoke cloud and debris from the explosion in West, Texas.
Source: Paul Lannuier/YouTube -
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Waco Police: At 11:45 a.m. Gov Perry will be doing a press conf at DPS HQ in Austin on #WestTX explosion http://khou.comby KHOU 11 News Houston via twitter 4/18/2013 1:20:43 PM -
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No word yet on missing emergency responders. An Ennis woman says her brother likely died last night as a hero. @NBCDFW #WestExplosionby Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 1:44:46 PM -
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Clean up on oak street underway. @NBCDFW #WestExplosion #westtx http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BII2lmDCQAAhJJR.jpg
by Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 1:48:34 PM -
Oak street @NBCDFW #WestExplosion http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BIIvumhCAAEDwWZ.jpg
by Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 1:49:27 PM -
Post office unsure about mail delivery today. #WestExplosion @NBCDFW http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BIIvcVUCYAAHVHG.jpg
by Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 1:49:37 PM -
Windows blown out at West city hall/police dept. #WestExplosion #westtx @NBCDFW http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BIIrzSZCQAAiLj2.jpg
by Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 1:49:43 PM -
Jenene Picha, owner of Czech-American Restaurant, whose in-laws' homes were destroyed: "It was like a war zone last night." #westexploisonby Lowell Brown via twitter 4/18/2013 1:55:25 PM -
U.S. Department of Labor records show West Texas fertilizer plant was not inspected by OSHA in at least the last 5 years (via @MikeElk)
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The fertilizer plant that exploded in West, Texas on Wednesday night was fined by the Environmental Protection agency in 2006 for failing to have a risk management plan that met federal standards, an EPA report shows.
- WFAA-TV -
Cleaning up on N Main in downtown West. #westexploison http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BII5QsPCIAAtO6N.jpg
by Lowell Brown via twitter 4/18/2013 2:00:15 PM -
FULL COVERAGE: Explosion in West http://bit.ly/11lsYI4by WFAA-TV via twitter 4/18/2013 2:01:44 PM
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One of the most telling photos f the morning. #WestExplosion #West @NBCDFW http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BII5qXxCMAAkoa_.jpg
by Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 2:02:00 PM -
Statement from the President on the Explosion in West, Texas
Today our prayers go out to the people of West, Texas in the aftermath of last night’s deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant. A tight-knit community has been shaken, and good, hard-working people have lost their lives. I want to thank the first responders who worked tirelessly through the night to contain the situation and treat the wounded. My Administration, through FEMA and other agencies, is in close contact with our state and local partners on the ground to make sure there are no unmet needs as search and rescue and response operations continue. West is a town that many Texans hold near and dear to their hearts, and as residents continue to respond to this tragedy, they will have the support of the American people. -
Thrift store offers coats and clothing to those in need- despite damage @NBCDFW #WestExplosion #westtx http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BII6HkqCIAEWrKE.jpg
by Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 2:04:00 PM -
Michael Maler, whose house was destroyed, on the #West blast: "You felt the pressure first, and then BOOM! My ears are still ringing."by Lowell Brown via twitter 4/18/2013 2:07:07 PM
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Reports say one fire fighter located in area hospital. Condition not known. @NBCDFW #WestExplosion #westtxby Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 2:07:26 PM
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Latest on #westexplosion live now on WFAA and live streaming at http://www.wfaa.com/live-streamby WFAA-TV via twitter 4/18/2013 2:08:44 PM
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RT @DavidSchechter: EXPLOSION: Authorities report some looting in blast zone. May delay access to residents returning to their homes. # ...by WFAA-TV via twitter 4/18/2013 2:10:35 PM
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Oak street @NBCDFW #WestExplosion http://yfrog.us/0dbbbjobkwwpxjnvwfhndyttzby Eric King via twitter 4/18/2013 2:12:28 PM
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