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Dozens Believed Killed In Explosion Near Waco

Matt Pressberg |
April 17, 2013 | 9:15 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

The small town of West, Texas was hit by a massive explosion. (Paul Lowry/Flickr)
The small town of West, Texas was hit by a massive explosion. (Paul Lowry/Flickr)
As many as 60 to 70 people have been killed and dozens more injured in an explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco, Texas Wednesday night, according to Waco CBS affiliate KWTX.

The explosion at West Fertilizer in the small town of West, about 20 miles north of Waco, was first reported around 7:50 p.m. CST. According to KWTX, the fire started in an ammonia tank and spread to the building, which exploded.

The force of the blast then spread the fire, igniting West Middle School and a nursing home near the plant, where people are believed to be trapped. There have also been reports of residents trapped in an apartment building near the scene.

All residents living within one mile of the blast were ordered to evacuate, and evacuations remain ongoing late into Wednesday evening.

KWTX compiled local reactions to the explosion:

"Gulf war veteran Paul L. Manigrasso felt the blast in Waxahachie.

'Based on my naval experience...we knew immediately what it was, but cannot believe it occurred 40 miles away,' he said.

Chris Moore was at a Wednesday night prayer service in Navarro Mills about 35 miles from West.

He said the blast rocked the church.

'We are praying for our neighbors in West right now,' he said.

Waco lawyer Walter Skip Reaves lives about 3/4 mile from the fertilizer plant.

He said the blast sounded like a bomb.

All of the windows and doors in his house were blown out, as were the windows of the rest of the homes in his neighborhood, he said."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry released a statement Wednesday night, saying he was “monitoring developments” and offering thoughts and prayers.

Reach Executive Producer Matt Pressberg here.



 

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