TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[MsFacetious]

But weren't they trying to put the fire out for quite a while BEFORE the explosion? If they realized that it was going to explode it seems they would have evacuated a while before it happened.

Only 20 minutes. It blew up 20 minutes after they arrived.
I knew the estimates of 1-2 hours were wrong last night because of scanner traffic.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/key-facts-plant-explosion-west-texas-18990641#.UXBClcpaa3o

They were in the process of evacuating the nursing home when it blew.

So I am hoping the firefighters also had enough time and TOOK that time to at least back away...
Maybe they will find them injured... but if not at least then they might find the bodies.

 

[momtective]

MarkW_KVUE Mark Wiggins 1h
Line outside Carter BloodCare in Waco wrapping around the building. Some waited 3hrs to give blood.

https://twitter.com/MarkW_KVUE/status/324942830214725632/photo/1

 

[Justiceforever]

Honesty if I had just lost everything and had to evacuate my town with nothing but what I had on ,and I didnt have shoes and came across a pair laying in a yard of a destoryed home. I would so be wearing those shoes.
If there were glass and stuff everywhere (including chemicals falling from the sky) and my kids didnt have shoes..well I might even go looking for a pair somewhere I wouldnt consider in normal conditions. Dont shoot me.

People will meet their own immediate needs if they have to.

I am in complete agreement with you.

 

[MsFacetious]

I hate when the reporter is talking but you can't hear the questions from the studio.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Explosion-Rocks-Fertilizer-Plant-During-Fire-203508011.html

 

[margarita25]

www.centexlostpets.org

Site to collect info for lost and found pets.
They are also asking for info of local vets that will be sheltering pets.

Bumping this link for lost and found pets. Thank you for this. Here is also the direct link for the photos and info of the lost and found pets from this site:

http://www.centexlostpets.org/searchr.php

Heartbreaking!!!

I'm talking to my "daughter" (of the canine variety) right now to ask if its ok if we bring a brother or sister in that might need a new home? As a single child, she is rather jealous. We are talking about this, lol. I will keep checking this page to see if their owners have been found.

edit: omg, I thought these were dogs found...most are lost!! I'm balling now, don't click on this link if you are doggie sensitive!!!!

 

[HMSHood]

Residents sensed disaster just before explosion
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...ed-disaster-just-before-explosion-4445037.php

WEST - Janie Salazar and her granddaughter sensed the disaster at the same time.

Salazar said she felt "something like darkness" Wednesday night at her home in this town near Waco. Her granddaughter walked up to her, saying she had a funny feeling.

"It hit right after," Salazar said from the Best Western in West, where she spent the night after a fertilizer plant explosion knocked the windows out of her house.

 

[SailorMoon]

When I moved to San Antone I thought, "I'm going to eat so much Mexican food they'll have to roll me out the door." (This happened.)

But also, I found, S.A. and environs has, to name but three, plenty of people with Czech, German, and Polish ancestry. So I had to eat all that food too.

Conclusion: yum!

Bumping this link for lost and found pets. Thank you for this. Here is also the direct link for the photos and info of the lost and found pets from this site:

http://www.centexlostpets.org/searchr.php

Heartbreaking!!!

I'm talking to my "daughter" (of the canine variety) right now to ask if its ok if we bring a brother or sister in that might need a new home? As a single child, she is rather jealous. We are talking about this, lol. I will keep checking this page to see if their owners have been found.

OMG!! You aren't kidding. I expected to see a few, but good gravy!!

 

[HMSHood]

Czech ambassador to visit scene of plant explosion
http://www.kxxv.com/story/22013350/czech-ambassador-to-visit-scene-of-plant-explosion

Ambassador Petr Gandalovic is scheduled to arrive Thursday in West, which has an honorary consulate in recognition of the significant number of residents in the area with Czech heritage.

 

[HMSHood]

Live Coverage From KCEN-TV in Waco.
http://www.kcentv.com/category/177820/live-video

 

[fhc]

Just got here but as a Texan, West is known for it's Czech bakery on I-35, everyone stops there traveling I-35 to Waco (Baylor University) and Austin ( Univ. of TX) to pick-up every kind of Kolache known to man. It is a wonderful town. This is tragic.

 

[wfgodot]

Just got here but as a Texan, West is known for it's Czech bakery on I-35, everyone stops there traveling I-35 to Waco (Baylor University) and Austin ( Univ. of TX) to pick-up every kind of Kolache known to man. It is a wonderful town. This is tragic.

Much kolache chatter earlier in thread, lol.

 

[margarita25]

If you are on Facebook, this is an informative open group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/WestTexasAnimals/

Bumping this also. Thank you!

"ATTN: 501(c)(3) rescues - The City of Waco Animal Control Facility is expecting an influx of animals from the West explosion area. These incoming animals have to be housed at the facility, at least initially. This means animals currently at the shelter need OUT to open up kennels for the incoming animals. If you can pull any animals from our City shelter into your rescue, please contact Humane Society of Central Texas directly - 2032 Circle Road, Waco TX."

:beagle:

 

[MsFacetious]

This one will come back for the press conference,
I have had no issue with it being choppy or anything:

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/category/234333/live


This is already at the press conference (no sound) but has been a bit choppy:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Explosion-Rocks-Fertilizer-Plant-During-Fire-203508011.html


This one has also been a bit choppy for me:

http://www.kcentv.com/category/177820/live-video

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Much kolache chatter earlier in thread, lol.

LOL, it's just SOOO much of what West is all about! LOL
Many only remember cruising through West because of the Czech bakeries :rocker:

That and "Westfest."

 

[momtective]

New cell phone video of the explosion ***caution language***http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=650_1366312090&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I can't link FB right now, but if someone can...type in "In Memory of West, TX Firefighters Last Alarm 4/17/2013" page. TIA

Here is one update:

Capt Kenny Harris, a Dallas Fire Rescue firefighter from West, is among those listed as missing, according to Lt Joel Lavender, a spokesman with the Department. However, it is unclear whether he was assisting the West Fire Department at the time of the blast. Harris works at Station 30 in Dallas.


- - - -

As a LEO, and a wife of a FF...yes, I burst out in tears everytime I read or hear the words "Last Alarm." Can't help it.

 

[MsFacetious]

Five For Fighting playing at Baylor tonight to raise money.

 

[Justiceforever]

Significant damage, houses pushed off slabs.
Schools want to open on Monday, but Perry has told them they do it when they are ready.
Not sure how many were employed at the plant but of course in a small town it's going to make an impact.
Not sure what impact the possibility of lost jobs will have on the community.

We'll be asking for an emergency declaration.

I just read in an article linked her that there are 13 employees of the plant and none were there because the plant had closed three hours earlier. I'll try to locate the link.

 

[MsFacetious]

I saw that article too... 12 or 13 and no one was at the plant.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-plant-explosion-leaves-dead-100-injured.html


Here you go DD, facebook page for the firefighters.

https://www.facebook.com/WestFirefighters

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I saw that article too... 12 or 13 and no one was at the plant.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-plant-explosion-leaves-dead-100-injured.html


Here you go DD.

https://www.facebook.com/WestFirefighters

Thank you very much!!!!!