Massive Fire and Explosion at Fertilizer Plant
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"It felt like a dream, like, "Is this really happening?" Corey Jensen said of #westexplosion destructionby Regina Dennis via twitter 4/18/2013 6:46:33 PM
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Commissioner of Education Michael L. Williams issued the following statement following the explosion in West, Texas.
“Our sympathies go out to our friends in the West Independent School District as they wrestle with the aftermath of Wednesday’s massive explosion. I’ve spoken to district leaders and told them TEA will provide as much flexibility and support as possible as they work to reassemble their schools and community. I’ve been very impressed with the strength and resolve these local leaders have shown as they work to bring normalcy back to the lives of their children. I also appreciate all the support the Region 12 Education Service Center in Waco and surrounding districts are providing West ISD.” -
Video: West residents recount their experiences following the fertilizer plant explosion. (Length 2:14) http://d-news.co/kcin7by Dallas Morning News via twitter 4/18/2013 7:15:58 PM
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StateImpact Texas, always a great news resource: West, Texas: Up to 15 Fatalities Estimated, Fire Under Control
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Fire at the West fertilizer plant in February caused evacuation at nearby school, reports @wacotrib http://ow.ly/kcsAMby Dallas Morning News via twitter 4/18/2013 7:31:35 PM
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According to Gov. Rick Perry, the activated state resources include:
Texas Department of Public Safety: Helping secure the area for law enforcement personnel to conduct business and maintain public safety.
Texas Task Force 1 & 2 (TTF1 and TTF2): TTF1 urban search and rescue team, including damage assessment personnel for collapse structure assessment, and a search and rescue K-9 Team. TTF2 search and rescue task force has also been deployed.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Ambulance buses, two medical incident support team members and mental health and other resources have been deployed. The DSHS State Medical Operations Center has also been activated.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Providing air monitoring and technical assistance.
Texas Military Forces (TXMF): The 6th Civil Support Team, with approximately 21 personnel, has been deployed to support of first responders. Additional resources and personnel from the Texas National Guard Homeland Response Force (HRF) remain on alert and ready to assist if needed.
Communications Coordination Group (CCG): Activated to provide additional emergency communication resources and/or support as needed.
Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT): Two 300-gallon fuel trailers from the TxDOT Bryan District have been sent to West, along with four personnel and four trucks to assist with mobile fueling; 18 personnel and nine trucks are closing city streets to block off the affected area. Other available sites for refueling are the TxDOT Waco District Office and TxDOT Hill County Area Office in Hillsboro.
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC): Providing support personnel.
Texas Railroad Commission: Monitoring pipelines in the affected area.
Texas Education Agency: Working with the local school district to coordinate any immediate needs. Schools in West are closed for the remainder of the week.
Texas Forest Service: Incident Management Team assisting the Texas Division of Emergency Management with planning and logistics.
Texas Department of Insurance: State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting on-site. Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is also actively assisting individuals affected by this tragedy. Two members of TDI’s Consumer Protection Division will be on site to assist individuals as soon as it is safe to do so. -
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Small numbers of patients are still arriving at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco for treatment. #WestExplosionby Russell Lewis via twitter 4/18/2013 8:20:15 PM
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'MY GRANDMA CALLED ME AND SAID MY HOUSE EXPLODED'
Jason Lucien, 15, was at church when the explosion happened.
"My grandma called me and said my house exploded," Lucien said. "I was thinking, 'what do I come home to?' My house is nothing."
Lucien, a freshman at West High School, said he knew about five people who died in the explosion. -
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WATCH LIVE: Authorities to give update on plant explosion in West, Texas. http://bit.ly/11lTVgs #KHOU #HouNews http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BIKQ0j5CEAAtp1b.jpg
by KHOU 11 News Houston via twitter 4/18/2013 8:22:49 PM -
KWTX Livestream of the Hillcrest news coverage. #WestExplosion http://www.kwtx.com/livestreamby Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/18/2013 8:22:49 PM
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WATCH LIVE: Authorities to give update on plant explosion in West, Texas. http://bit.ly/11nfI5W #KHOU #HouNewsby KHOU 11 News Houston via twitter 4/18/2013 8:26:34 PM
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The school near massive West explosion is total loss, officials tell @EvaMarieAyala. Severe damage to high school, middle school as well.by Dallas Morning News via twitter 4/18/2013 8:26:36 PM
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Tune into KWTX News 10 where press conferences are underway.by KWTX News 10 via twitter 4/18/2013 8:28:00 PM
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FROM HILLCREST HOSPITAL IN WACOThe hospital's chief medical officer said at least 60 of the hospital's employees live in West and many were at work last night while their family members were being treated in the same hospital. Melissa James was working when her brother and nephew came in with injuries."(They) were driving down the road and their windows exploded into them," James said. Her family members will recover, she said.
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Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is about to hold a news conference any moment now at Auction Farm in West, TX. #WestExplosionby Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/18/2013 8:29:24 PM
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RT @erickingnbc5: Louise Mills confirms her brother, Morris Bridges- firefighter from West, died in #WestExplosion @NBCDFW...by Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/18/2013 8:34:25 PM
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TECQ says air quality in West, Texas is acceptable. #WestExplosionby Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/18/2013 8:35:59 PM
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Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is now live. http://ow.ly/kcCEFby Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/18/2013 8:37:06 PM
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Will be broadcasting from West, Texas tonightby Anderson Cooper via twitter 4/18/2013 8:37:25 PM
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Texas AG @GregAbbott_TX "In Texas our first responders don't run from harm. They run towards it. And some lost their lives."by Russell Lewis via twitter 4/18/2013 8:37:39 PM
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Greg Abbott: "1st responders literally lost their lives helping" #westexplosionby Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/18/2013 8:38:46 PM
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Texas law enforcement says there are "confirmed fatalities. But we cannot confirm the number of deaths." #WestExplosionby Russell Lewis via twitter 4/18/2013 8:41:22 PM
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West is not in need of perishable items, but if you would like to make a monetary donation, contact the Red Cross or Salvation Army. A fund has been set up: www.salvationarmyhouston.org
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Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott: Said will investigate cause of the #westexplosion. TECQ and EPA are involved.by Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/18/2013 8:44:35 PM
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West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion. Texas authorities: "We do not know the cause of the fire."by Russell Lewis via twitter 4/18/2013 8:44:38 PM
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West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion. Texas authorities: "We do not know the cause of the fire."by Russell Lewis via twitter 4/18/2013 8:44:38 PM
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Casualty numbers are still not being released.by Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/19/2013 12:41:15 AM
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So far 80% of homes have been cleared, Texas Task Forces 1 and 2 are working on the remaining 20%. #WestExplosionby KXXV News Channel 25 via twitter 4/19/2013 12:42:52 AM
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Officials hope to shrink perimeter tomorrow. Hope some can begin to return home tomorrow. #westexplosionby Jay F. Hicks via twitter 4/19/2013 12:44:12 AM
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WEST VIGIL PIC: Hundreds show up to St.Mary's church in West for candlelight service. #kwtx #prayforwest http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BILNWomCIAA3aH1.jpg
by Matt Howerton via twitter 4/19/2013 12:47:16 AM -
West residents in awe of damage from fertilizer plant explosion http://bit.ly/11ohd3C #Texasby KHOU 11 News Houston via twitter 4/19/2013 12:48:27 AM
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WEST VIGIL: 24 hours ago West was in absolute chaos. Many coming to worship tonight at candlelight service. #kwtx http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BILOat1CYAEShe1.jpg
by Matt Howerton via twitter 4/19/2013 12:51:56 AM -
9-year-old Kaden Anderson is among the #West survivors -- barely. His story on #KHOU 11 News at 10. #prayforwest http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BILPZpjCQAIpnE7.jpg
by KHOU 11 News Houston via twitter 4/19/2013 12:56:13 AM -
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE FERTILIZER PLANT EXPLOSION (1:40 p.m. ET)
A massive explosion devastated the town of West, Texas at about 9 p.m. ET Wednesday night. It happened at a fertilizer plant and leveled homes as far as five blocks away. 12 people have been confirmed dead, while 200 have been injured. Sixty people are unaccounted for, according to Sen. John Cornyn. Per Kirsten Crow, that number is expected to drop as the list is compared with the hospital lists. About 50 homes have been destroyed, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The search for victims trapped in the rubble continues. About 80 percent of the area has been combed through, and officials hope some residents can return to their homes tomorrow.