MASSIVE EXPLOSION AT TEXAS FERTILISER PLANT
Yahoo!7Updated April 18, 2013, 2:12 pm
A massive explosion has ripped through a fertiliser plant in West, Texas, possibly leaving 60-70 people dead including first responders. Many more people are injured, with reports the explosion 'levelled' buildings in a five-block radius, including a school and a nursing home.
Follow our live updates here. All times are AEST.
2:12pm Officials have evacuated a triage site which has been treating hundreds of residents, including the elderly from a nearby nursing home. There are serious fears a second fertiliser silo will explode at any moment.
The head of the West, Texas emergency service has told CNN several homes within a two-mile radius of the explosion have been 'levelled', possibly including a school and a nursing home.
1:50pm Officials have confirmed two people are dead, but the toll is expected to rise.
1:32pm A local medical official believes at least 60-70 people have died, with one rescuer reportedly seeing five dead bodies, according to KWTX.com.
It's been reported some of the dead are firefighters and police officers.
1:17pm A nearby area is being evacuated with fears a second tank at the fertiliser plant may catch fire and explode. The tank is said to be intact at the moment, but authorities are preparing for a second emergency.
1:05pm An official from a local hospital has told CNN at least 40 patients have arrived for treatment following the explosion and many of the injuries are 'very serious'.
12:43pm CNN reports a triage station has been set up near the site of the explosion, with local hospitals warned to expect 'hundreds' of casualties.
12:27pm Several people, including children and the elderly are believed to be trapped in buildings after a massive explosion at a fertiliser plant in Waco, Texas.
Multiple ambulances are on the scene with several people injured after a nursing home and apartment building were affected by the blast.
Authorities are reportedly going door-to-door to check on residents after several builidings were either destroyed or damaged.
Emergency crews from surrounding areas have been called to the scene.
"We've got a lot of buildings on fire, we still have people trapped in an apartment building and possibly in a rest home," and emergency services operator said.
"We got reports of two kids on the second floor, about 50 foot from the north end," another emergency worker said. It is believed they were talking about the apartment building.
“My husband and I were cleaning up the kitchen after supper, and heard what we thought was someone running into our house. It shook our windows and doors. We immediately ran outside looking for the worst,” one witness told KWTX News.
Another witness, Gulf war veteran Paul L. Manigrasso told KWTX he 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.
