TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[Softail]

RR Express get donations on fast track

Collecting food and other items for West families

Updated: Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 1:12 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 12:20 PM CDT
Jackie Vega

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - The Round Rock Express are putting donations on the fast track to West, Texas.

Tuesday is the last night people can drop off items headed for the families affected by the deadly explosion that left the community shaken in the tiny Texas town of 2,800.

"We’ve had such a great turnout from this, and I can’t wait until we get to deliver everything to the people of West," said Round Rock Express spokeswoman Jill Cacic


Everyone who donates will get a complimentary pair of general admission tickets to Tuesday night's game against the New Orleans Zephyrs. If people already have tickets for that game, they will get a "Be Our Guest" pass. That's good for two reserved seats to a future game, Sunday through Thursday.

Items will be collected outside of Dell Diamond near the home plate entrance starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday until 30 minutes after the scheduled first pitch.

Items needed most
•personal hygiene items and toiletries
•phone chargers
•pillows
•baby care items: diapers, wipes, baby food, etc.
•nonperishable food items
•new socks and underwear
•bottled water
•bedding
•pet food and supplies

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/williamson/rr-express-get-donations-on-fast-track

 

[Softail]

MLB's Rangers to deliver donated items for blast victims

Gift cards, $40,000 in cash among donations

Updated: Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 8:39 AM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 8:37 AM CDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers are getting ready to deliver items the team has collected for residents of a Texas town recovering from a deadly blast at a fertilizer plant.

During its series this past weekend with Seattle, the Rangers collected various items, including thousands of dollars in gift cards, for residents of West. Rangers fans and employees and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation also donated about $40,000 in cash.


http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/mlbs-rangers-to-deliver-donated-items-for-blast-victims

 

[mysteriew]

From experience and from what I have seen from reading, they would probably also need trucks for hauling debris, and people to go to homes with vacuum cleaners, cleaning supplies and gloves to pick up glass and debris. They really need physical labor.

Of course I don't know if others would be allowed in yet.

 

[mysteriew]

USA news posted this 4 days ago

Texas blast death toll at 14; only 1 or 2 missing
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/19/west-texas-fertilizer-blast/2095817

This is from 4-21

All missing in West disaster now accounted for
http://austin.culturemap.com/news/life/04-21-13-all-missing-in-west-disaster-now-accounted-for/

I don't see anything in a quick search from local papers. DD or softail would probably be better at looking there

 

[Softail]

USA news posted this 4 days ago



This is from 4-21

All missing in West disaster now accounted for
http://austin.culturemap.com/news/life/04-21-13-all-missing-in-west-disaster-now-accounted-for/

I don't see anything in a quick search from local papers. DD or softail would probably be better at looking there

All of my local stuff only shows 3 or 4 days ago when they were still reporting 60 missing. Haven't seen any updates since. :dunno:

Glad you were able to find that. Never heard of the culture map.

 

[mysteriew]

I haven't either. And USA news isn't one of my favorites

 

[Softail]

Couple risk their own lives to save strangers

'It wasn't something you think about at the time'

Updated: Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 6:30 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 4:35 PM CDT
Josh Hinkle

WEST, Texas (KXAN) - Why would you run into an explosion? That is the question Billy and Steffanie Burch have fielded most since last Wednesday's tragedy in West.

“It wasn't something you think about at the time,” Steffanie said. “You just do what you have to do.”

Married 20 years, the couple moved to West last fall with their 16-year-old son.

“He was supposed to be with friends at the basketball court right next to the fertilizer plant,” she said. “He told us he had a headache, so he stayed home. I'm so thankful he did.”

Read More:
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/couple-risk-their-own-lives-to-save-strangers

 

[Softail]

Lawsuits filed against West Fertilizer

Officials say rail car not cause of deadly blast

Updated: Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 5:15 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 2:46 PM CDT



WEST, Texas (KXAN) - Two lawsuits accusing the owner of West Fertilizer Co. of negligence have been filed in connection with the explosion that killed at least 14 people in the small town north of Waco.

Both civil actions were filed in the McLennan County district court against Adair Grain Inc., which also does business as West Fertilizer. One of the lawsuits was jointly filed by several businesses and two churches in West and their insurance companies.

"The explosion and its aftermath caused severe damage to Plaintiff's insured's property and business," one lawsuit says. "Defendant's negligent acts of omission were the proximate cause of the explosion that resulted in damages to the Plaintiffs, including the destruction (of) real and personal property and lost profits."


Read More:

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/lawsuits-filed-against-west-fertilizer

 

[mysteriew]

Well that didn't take long. It wasn't unexpected, but was very quick.

 

[MsFacetious]

Yeah shouldn't they wait for a cause?
What if it was ruled arson? Would they still have a case?

 

[Softail]

Residents search for answers at Town Hall meeting

Several residents still not back in their homes

Updated: Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 10:18 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013, 9:29 PM CDT
Angie Beavin


WEST, Texas (KXAN) - Over the past few days, road blocks have been inching back, closer to the explosion site.

Still, many people who live beyond these points cannot go home.

Residents still looking for answers packed a town hall meeting Tuesday night as city leaders shed some light on the current situation.


http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/residents-search-for-answers-at-town-hall-meeting


Also from the same article: "People may forget about us, but even a month or two down the road, people are still going to need help then," Sutterfield said. “Especially with the rebuilding and stuff, because it's going to be along process…gonna take a while."

 

[Masterj]

Yeah shouldn't they wait for a cause?
What if it was ruled arson? Would they still have a case?

If they can prove the plant was holding more than was legally allowed then IMO they definitely have a case.

 

[Public_Hysteria]

Has a cause for the explosion been released yet? I absolutely agree that if the plant was at fault for this there is ample reason for a lawsuit, considering the death, injury, and massive destruction that this has caused... but shouldn't this come about once it has been determined how this tragedy came about?

Also, just out of curiosity, if this is deemed an unavoidable accident (definitely unlikely, but perhaps possible), is the plant still liable for the damage that was caused?

I've found the following article, updated 13 hours ago (not sure if it's been posted or not... hopefully it's from an acceptable site).

The number of people who died in a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, last week now stands at 15, officials said Tuesday. ..... At least 200 more were injured.
In Waco, TV station KXXV says that officials believe they have found all the victims, quoting Mayor Pro Tem Steve Vanek saying "No more victims. Everything is searched," in a news conference today.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/23/178678505/death-toll-in-west-texas-fertilizer-explosion-rises-to-15

My thoughts are with the people of West, they have a long road ahead of them. I hope they receive the support that they need to rebuild their lives after this tragedy.

 

[PoirotryInMotion]

Dear, sweet West. We're traveling today and just stopped at the famously delicious Czech Stop. (Took a photo on my cell phone, but am not sure if I can load it on this post - I'll add it later if I can't right now.) Saw several ATF guys and a Dallas fire dept guy at checkout. Exiting the parking lot we saw a school - children had inserted red drinking cups in the chain link fence that spelled out THANK YOU. I <3 this town.

 

[Sporky]

I bought me one of these shirts. All proceeds are going to West, Tx. They have raised around $28,000 so far with a goal of $50,000.

http://www.atxmafia.com/catalog.php?item=159

 

[PoirotryInMotion]

I bought me one of these shirts. All proceeds are going to West, Tx. They have raised around $28,000 so far with a goal of $50,000.

http://www.atxmafia.com/catalog.php?item=159

Have to get me one when I get home.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Dear, sweet West. We're traveling today and just stopped at the famously delicious Czech Stop. (Took a photo on my cell phone, but am not sure if I can load it on this post - I'll add it later if I can't right now.) Saw several ATF guys and a Dallas fire dept guy at checkout. Exiting the parking lot we saw a school - children had inserted red drinking cups in the chain link fence that spelled out THANK YOU. I <3 this town.

And you didn't stop by to meet a WS'er in Waco???? LOL, just kidding!

:seeya: Yay! As another poster said ( upstream ^^^^) we need to keep supporting West as they rebuild and recover. I'd say I'm going to just have to gain a few pounds as a sacrifice for having to stop and buy kolaches every time I drive through West. (Sounds like a PERFECT excuse, eh????)

I haven't been able to really follow the news in the last 24 hours, crazy here. I did watch about 15 minutes of their Town Hall meeting last night on TV - going over volunteer manpower, and their official "plan" on rebuilding will be turned in (to ??? I don't know, maybe a City Council?) on Friday. They were going through very mundane, but simple and critical issues such as "how do I pick up my car that's parked by my house so I can at least have my own car" to the water issues. I did hear they said they have over 100,000 bottles of water. The lady speaking mentioned laundry supplies - yep, a temporary place where locals can go do their laundry. The little things in life we take for granted. She also mentioned that there were over 500 meals available for every breakfast, lunch and dinner at one of the sites. She said no one should have to make a meal if they don't want to, for several weeks. Sounds like they have great resources in place.

Here in Waco, getting ready for tomorrow, it's nuts. We're having to use hotel rooms in Temple (about 30 min south of Waco) for staff and manpower, as Waco is sold out. Many locals are upset that the POTUS visit has negatively hurt the accommodations for traveling Fire Dept's coming in, families of West (maybe they'll be going to hotels in Hillsboro?), and even one charitable organization was having a hard time donating/hosting rooms for the FD honor guards and victim families, as there weren't any rooms local. (Oh, and today the local LE has to do a sweep of the homeless camps near Baylor, as they've got to move out by tonight.).

Gotta go, just wanted to quickly read here for any updates, as I can't right now....but if anyone wants to, local sources are Waco Trib newspaper, KWTX, KXXV and KCEN tv stations....I'll check back at lunch. I want to know more of what's happening in West, LOL! Thanks to those of you who post updates - you're my saving grace in times like these! Love WS!

:seeya:

 

[MsFacetious]

I'm sorry you have to deal with this as well DD...
I wish they'd think about the impact on this grieving community full of grieving families. :facepalm:

 

[mysteriew]

Why didn't 2,400 tons of ammonium nitrate at West plant raise concerns?
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/west...p-did-safety-checks-at-west-fertilizer-go.ece

 

[mysteriew]

Recordings tell critical story of hidden danger at West fertilizer plant
http://www.kens5.com/news/Recording...anger-at-West-fertilizer-plant-204461651.html

Good outline of one of the 911 calls and what was happening behind the scenes.

They thought it was possibly one of the grain elevators that was on fire