Massive explosion at Texas fertilizer plant
The explosion ripped through a fertilizer plant and caused major damage nearby, witnesses said.
April 17th, 2013
11:45 PM ET

Massive explosion at Texas fertilizer plant

An explosion ripped through a fertilizer plant Wednesday night in West, Texas, a witness told CNN.

A hospital in Waco, Texas, has been told to anticipate 100 injured people coming in from a fertilizer plant where there was a massive explosion, an official at the medical facility says. Glenn Robinson, CEO of Hillcrest Hospital, said a field triage station was set up at the plant some 18 miles north of Waco after the Wednesday night explosion.

Tommy Alford, who works in a convenience store about three miles from the plant, told CNN that several volunteer firefighters were at the store when they spotted smoke. Alford said the firefighters headed toward the scene and then between five and 10 minutes later, he heard a massive explosion.

CNN affiliate KWTX showed a photo of the explosion - which reportedly happened around 7:50 p.m. (8:50 p.m. ET) - showed a huge plume of smoke rising high into the air.

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Filed under: Texas
soundoff (17 Responses)
  1. abby1

    This is very peculiar given all of the other events that have occurred this week.

    April 17, 2013 at 10:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • Timothy Wakeup

      Not so peculiar, it's retaliation ... WACO, Texas, 20 years ago almost to the day, April 19th 1993 . . . think about it again! or look it up if you don't know...

      April 18, 2013 at 2:49 am | Report abuse |
  2. Katelyn

    It is very sad that these things have been happening. Hopefully people will learn towards the future.. For Boston and Texas, all prayers are in our hearts!

    April 17, 2013 at 10:20 pm | Report abuse |
  3. vikingwoman

    Let's hope this was a plain & simple accident, not another malicious incident! Prayers & well wishes to the injured!!

    April 17, 2013 at 10:38 pm | Report abuse |
  4. jdcampbellri

    This is actually not uncommon for plants like this... my company does failure analyses on plant explosions. Usually has to do with cracks or leaks and built up pressure.

    April 17, 2013 at 10:48 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Chris Dorner

    Attack?

    April 17, 2013 at 11:05 pm | Report abuse |
  6. pattown

    Local news reporting 5 fireman and 1 police and 60 to 70 killed in explosen.

    April 18, 2013 at 12:04 am | Report abuse |
    • FRTrojan

      I dont know if my own post posted or not but thats what i was saying, the info is 200 injured, 60-70 may be dead, there has been 2 explosions and the town may be evacuated shortly cause of the hazard. CNN needs to update their info on tv!

      April 18, 2013 at 12:09 am | Report abuse |
  7. adam123

    Boston & West Texas think about it. Those bunker builders are not crazy

    April 18, 2013 at 1:24 am | Report abuse |
    • Timothy Wakeup

      WACO, 20 years ago almost to the day, April 19th 1993 . . . think about it again! or look it up if you don't know...

      April 18, 2013 at 2:47 am | Report abuse |
    • s kel

      they can go hide and rot....five firefighters just died in the line of duty. Five of my brothers.

      April 18, 2013 at 8:10 am | Report abuse |
  8. ronvan

    Sadly more dead and injured! When it rains it pours!

    April 18, 2013 at 4:23 am | Report abuse |
  9. Rascal Rabble

    mmmm...wonder if ammonnia anhydrous substance were used in boston explosion and if that area, inaddition to a fertilizer plant, also has pressure cooker supplier there also?

    April 18, 2013 at 7:01 am | Report abuse |
    • Rascal Rabble

      and a stones throw from waco and upcoming 4/19 anniversary...i think fbi just got its calling card...

      April 18, 2013 at 7:21 am | Report abuse |
  10. chrissy

    @ s kel not to belittle your brothers but also 60~70 workers too!

    April 18, 2013 at 12:01 pm | Report abuse |
  11. saywhat

    terrible and right in the wake of Boston.

    April 18, 2013 at 12:46 pm | Report abuse |
  12. chrissy

    The whole situation is devestating and i cant help wondering if they are in some way related. Only because the tool running North Korea has made references to texas in some of his threats and because some ppl have said the 2 men picked up by the FBI for the boston bombing look korean.

    April 18, 2013 at 11:20 pm | Report abuse |
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