West, Texas Explosion

A massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the small Texas town of West has left several people dead and over 160 injured. The Mayor of West, Tommy Muska estimates the death toll could range from 30 to 40 individuals–that’s according to the most recent report from the Wall Street Journal.

Hundreds of emergency responders descended on West — a town of about 28-hundred people, located 20 miles north of Waco — where masses of people were sent to area hospitals and dozens of homes. Surrounding apartments and a nursing home were toppled and severely damaged.

Greg Burnam spoke with mass communication major Kayla Urbanovsky, who’s from West, earlier today about the disaster.

“Yesterday at around 8 p.m. there was an explosion at the fertilizer plant north of our town. They have evacuated the north side of town, they have put barricades up on all of the main streets, and they’re asking that people divert to different towns and not to to West right now because it has been seen as a disaster…” “”I was told that West looks like ground zero.”
– Kayla Urbanovsky

Isamar Terrazas spoke with leasing director, Jordan Laird, at The Outpost about donating to those whose lives have been turned upside down due to the explosion.

Governor Rick Perry described the scenery in West as a “nightmare” during a press conference earlier today…

“We appreciate President Obama’s call and gracious offer of support.”
– Governor Rick Perry

Isamar Terrazas spoke with volunteer Tye Hall about his experience with the explosion and the aftermath.

“I heard a boom, which i thought was thunder. I got a call asking if I was ok. Right now in Waco, there are people donating clothes, giving shelter, if you needed taking in animals…”
– Tye Hall

Greg Burnam and Matt Alvarez, KTSW News.