Explosion at fertilizer plant

[docwarren]

Initial report is 5 firefighters and 1 police officer killed in explosion at fertilizer plant in West, Texas. About 100 miles south of me. 100's injured and missing. RIP my brothers.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/texas-fertilizer-plant-blast-injures-dozens-035029496.html

 

[stoney baloney]

regards to all those hurt from this...directly, or indirectly.

 

"There is a great deal of pain in life and perhaps the only pain that can be avoided is the pain that comes from trying to avoid pain."
RD Laing
 

[docwarren]

Latest count 6 firefighters, 2 EMT's and 1 police officer. Multiple more of all 3 services unaccounted for not included in this count. 3 block radius of the town completely destroyed. Including apartment complex, middle school (empty thankfully) and a nursing home that had multiple fatalities. One 50 unit apartment complex completely leveled. Reported that evacuations were under way at time of the blast, so final count may take a while. May make it worse as people were in the open and not protected (somewhat) by walls. At least 2 children in critical condition.

 

Initially reported here in DFW as an earthquake that was felt by some in the southern edge of DFW. That's being able to feel it 80 miles away. Video of the explosion on YouTube. On my phone now, but do a search for Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion Caught on Video to see it.

 

When I first moved to DFW, I traveled through this town once a week because the family was still in Corpus Christi. Stopped for food/gas a couple times and seemed like a nice, friendly farming community.

 

Keep in mind fertilizer is what was used in the OKC bombing. That was a small amount (a few 50 gallon drums). Can't imagine a whole plant of that stuff exploding.

 

Just like seeing the crushed fire trucks after 9/11, they showed a first responder's truck (personal vehicle with flashers) just mangled that killed me. This was a volunteer fire department lost the 6. True heroes. Not even they're paying job, but their sacrifice for their fellow citizens.

 

They had so much/many departments from all over show up without being asked, they had to turn a lot away.

 

Those that know me well, know I was a volunteer FF/Medic. I was also a HAZMAT operations specialist for our county's HAZMAT response unit. Not all volunteer departments are trained in chemical fires and I fear that that lack of knowledge may have doomed them. Our county being mostly rural farm country, they really pounded into our unit that Ammonium Nitrate turns into a volatile gas when large amounts of water are put on it. They may have sealed their fate by trying to put out the fire.

 

Sorry for ramble. As a former volunteer FF/Medic, this hits me hard.

[DJ aka GDR DJ]

[Catface =^..^=]

Just wacthing the news, 60 years ago yesterday a fertiliizer barge exploded in Texas Ciry killing 500 .... So sad.... and what a weird coincidence..

[soulJAHmon]

OMG, Lord help us......

 

Apparently, there is a help wanted sign up in heaven for the Angel Corps, cuz we sure have been sending alot of folks to the other side lately. Again, we are praying for all those affected by this tragedy.