CG1304-westTX
CG1304-westTX
CG1304-westTX
CG1304-westTX
CG1304-westTX

Latest Updates on West, Texas, Plant Explosion

April 18, 2013
Live News Feeds on West, Texas, Fire and Explosion. Number of Casualties, Damage, Causes All Still Unknown. Situation Very Fluid

Below are some links to live updates of the West, Texas, plant explosion. With CNN's gaffe of yesterday still ringing in our ears, we're starting with the caveat that much more is unknown yet than is known. What we think may be the case at 10 a.m. may prove to be wrong by 10:30. But, here's what some of the folks are the ground are seeing and saying.

10:16 p.m.

Presdent Barack Obama issued an emergency declaration for Texas on Friday to help the state cope with the fallout from a deadly fertilizer plant explosion

Obama issues emergency declaration in Texas fertilizer plant blast

Friday update: 09:19 p.m.

This email came to me late this afternoon: A statement from the owner of the West Texas Fertilizer company. 

Adair Grain Inc. Issues Statement Regarding West Fertilizer Co. Fire and Explosion

Friday afternoon, 4:38 p.m.

As we have feared, the news from West, Texas, hasn't gotten any better. There are now 14 confirmed dead, and another 60 unaccounted for according to this report for KWTX television out of Waco, Texas.

UPDATE: Two More Bodies Found In Wake Of Deadly West Explosion

And, in case you were wondering when the Chemical Safety Board was going to weigh in on this, according to Salon, maybe not any time soon--and quite possibly it's not because the board doesn't want to. A little budget. A lot on its plate. Maybe some mismanagement. Not a pretty story.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board in decline?

Friday morning, 8:45 a.m CDT

Casualty count still not firm, but more of the situation is becoming clearer.  The link below is from ABC affiliate KTRX-TV, Houston. Good reporting on the impact of the town of West and the history of the plant.

Crews seek survivors, bodies after West explosion

This photo gallery is from today's New York Daily News. Pictures of the factory, the explosion itself and the damage to the town of West.
West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion: Massive blast levels town near Waco

These are later updates as of 1:20 p.m.

The situation is still confused, but the level of damage is becoming clearer.

From the Washington Post
Fertilizer plant explosion in Texas: Live Updates

This from KPLU, Seattle
Rescuers search ruins of Texas fertilizer plant

This from NBC affiliate website NBCDFW.com
Powerful Explosion Rocks Fertilizer Plant in West

And here's one I expect we'll be hearing more about:
West Fertilizer Co. Told the EPA That Last Night's Explosion Could Never Happen
West Fertilizer told the EPA that an explosion like last night's couldn't happen. Wonder why somebody from the EPA didn't question that from the get-go.

Thursday, 10:00 a.m.

From ABC News:

Live Updates: West, Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion Injures More Than 100

From Buzzfeed (Note, much of this stuff is from last night, and numbers have changed significantly, but some good on-the-scene pictures).
Massive Explosion In Texas Kills Up To 15, Leaves 160 Wounded

From AP at 10:50 a.m. EDT
Rescuers search ruins of Texas fertilizer plant

From KWTX.com
Grim Search Continues In West As Daylight Reveals Scale Of Devastation

We'll try to update more as the day goes on.