WEST, Texas (AP) -- Police in Texas say between five and 15 people were killed in a fertilizer plant explosion that also injured more than 160 others.
Waco police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said early Thursday morning that the death toll is only an estimate as search and rescue operations remain under way in downtown West.
An explosion Wednesday night shook the ground with the strength of a small earthquake in the community of 2,800 people located about 20 miles north of Waco.
Swanton says there is no indication the blast was anything other than an industrial accident.
He said fires continue to smoulder throughout the area, although he described the fires as under control.
Earlier coverage:
Media Briefed on Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion
WEST, Texas (AP) -- Police: Between 5 and 15 people killed in Texas fertilizer plant explosion; more than 160 hurt.
The Texas fertilizer plant where an explosion injured more than 100 people was cited for failing to obtain or to qualify for a permit in 2006.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality investigated West Fertilizer on June 20, 2006, after receiving a complaint June 9 of a strong ammonia smell. Agency records show that the person who lodged the complaint said the ammonia smell was "very bad last night" and lingered until after he or she went to bed.
Wednesday night's explosion leveled the plant and severely damaged other area buildings.
Authorities were still trying to evacuate area homes early Thursday morning.
Waco police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said early Thursday morning that the death toll is only an estimate as search and rescue operations remain under way in downtown West.
An explosion Wednesday night shook the ground with the strength of a small earthquake in the community of 2,800 people located about 20 miles north of Waco.
Swanton says there is no indication the blast was anything other than an industrial accident.
He said fires continue to smoulder throughout the area, although he described the fires as under control.
Earlier coverage:
Media Briefed on Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion
WEST, Texas (AP) -- Police: Between 5 and 15 people killed in Texas fertilizer plant explosion; more than 160 hurt.
The Texas fertilizer plant where an explosion injured more than 100 people was cited for failing to obtain or to qualify for a permit in 2006.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality investigated West Fertilizer on June 20, 2006, after receiving a complaint June 9 of a strong ammonia smell. Agency records show that the person who lodged the complaint said the ammonia smell was "very bad last night" and lingered until after he or she went to bed.
Wednesday night's explosion leveled the plant and severely damaged other area buildings.
Authorities were still trying to evacuate area homes early Thursday morning.
