Waco fertilizer plant explosion leaves many dead, dozens injured

April 19, 2013

Wednesday night, a fertilizer plant exploded in the small town of West, Texas, just north of Waco. According to the Waco Tribune-Herald, up to 15 people are dead, several firefighters remain missing and more than 160 people are being treated for injuries at local hospitals. Some fear that these numbers may increase as authorities begin searching the area for survivors.

At approximately 6:00pm local time, firefighters received a report of a fire at a fertilizer plant operated by the West Fertilizer Company. Emergency personnel responded to the call and began evacuating people from the area. Soon after, the plant exploded. The magnitude of the blast was massive: according to the U.S. Geological Survey, it registered a 2.1 on the Richter scale and was heard dozens of miles away.

The plant was located near multiple homes, an apartment building and an assisted living facility. Initial reports indicate that approximately 50 to 75 homes were heavily damaged. Thankfully, firefighters had evacuated many residents before the explosion, but hazardous conditions and continued fires in the area are currently slowing down search and recovery efforts.

Reports indicate that West Fertilizer had approximately 54,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia on-site at its plant. This material is a highly volatile chemical commonly used as a nitrogen fertilizer. Anhydrous ammonia is usually stored as a liquid in high-pressure tanks, but, when pressure is released, the material quickly converts to a gas. Although the chemical is classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as nonflammable, ammonia vapor in high concentrations will, in fact, burn and the risk of fire increases in the presence of oil or other combustible materials.

In 2006, the West Fertilizer Company applied to the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality for a permit for two large ammonia tanks at its West facility. The permit required that the plant install a water spray system to alleviate the effects of any leaks and noted the facility's proximity to a highly populated area. In that same year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined West $2,300 because the company had not developed a high-risk management plan for the plant.

It is still too soon to determine the cause of the accident, but investigators - including experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board - are expected to arrive in the area soon.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in an industrial explosion, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

Article provided by The Krist Law Firm, P.C.
Visit us at www.kristlaw.com