Massive explosion in West, TX

[Txstang1]

Why is there a primary explosion to the left of the burning plant in this angle?

It can be seen at :08 seconds in.

have you paused the video at :08 ? holy shit !!!!!!

[petyweestraw]

from arlington

Daaaaang

[DallasSleeper]

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/
FIVE West, TX Firefighters, FOUR EMS personnel, ONE off-duty Fire Captain from Dallas (in the area at the time and assisting) and ONE "unconfirmed" firefighter from an unknown agency have been killed in the line of duty

[dsrtuckteezy]

terrible. rest in peace

[01vnms4v]

Capt. Kenny Harris, a Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter, was killed in the West explosion while assisting volunteer firefighters battle a blaze at the West Fertilizer Co.

[01vnms4v]

Daaaaang

U do know know that pic you quoted is a FAKE!!

[diablo rojo]

This is what it reminded me of. My grandmother lived 5 miles from this plant. The explosion knocked her over and she broke her hip.

INVESTIGATORS TRYING TO FIND CAUSE OF PANHANDLE PLANT EXPLOSION

WENDY E. LANE, Associated PressNov. 16, 1987*6:44 AM ETPAMPA, TEXAS*PAMPA, Texas (AP) _ Officials have begun trying to find out what caused two powerful explosions that rocked a chemical plant, killing three workers, injuring 35 and igniting a huge fire.

''We have a lot of information to go through and a lot of people to talk to,'' plant manager Ron Guard said Sunday, one day after the accident.

Three people remained hospitalized with serious injuries, one in critical condition, officials said. A safety team put out several small fires Sunday, and stopped leaks in chemical vessels at the 755-acre Hoechst Celanese Corp. plant, Guard said. Teams of safety experts and damage assessors on Sunday surveyed what was left of the plant.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Water Commission officials patrolled the plant, and U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials were expected to arrive today, said Celanese spokesman Herb Reed. The investigations could take weeks, and officials declined to give possible causes for the blasts.''Right now, that would be an area of speculation,'' Guard said. The first blast killed operator Richard Wilson, 25, of Pampa, and mechanic Joe Barnet, 43, of White Deer, Guard said. Flying debris killed maintenance supervisor Eugene Turner, 60, of Pampa.

The explosions blew out windows in at least 15 buildings six miles away in downtown Pampa, and set off a huge fire that burned itself out before dawn Sunday, officials said. About 60 people living near the plant were evacuated, but were allowed to return to their homes late Saturday, said Department of Public Safety trooper Wayne Beighle.Officials have determined that the first blast occurred near a turbine in an auxiliary utility area, where natural gas is used to produce steam.

The second, more powerful explosion occurred in a butane reactor unit next to the utility area, said Guard.''Two of our major units were damaged extensively,'' Guard said.

''Other units have damage but most of what we saw was superficial.''The plant contains nine operating units.Celanese Hoechst is the largest single employer in this Panhandle town of 23,000. Company officials evaded questions about whether the 35-year-old plant would reopen.''I think to get into speculation on that point is far down the road from where we are now,'' said Guard, who said he would like to see it return to normal operation.

Celanese held a private meeting Sunday night with the approximately 400 workers at the plant. Afterward, most workers were close-mouthed, several women were in tears, and many employees hugged each other.However, some said they felt reassured their jobs were safe.''They said that right now it's too early to tell'' about the plant's future, said Frank Biggs, a mechanic for three years at the plant. ''They said they're not planning on shutting it down, but right now it's just wait and see. I feel pretty confident about it. ''Don Quarles, a welder at the plant for 15 years, said employees were told they would get regular pay until the company decides what to do with the plant, which makes acetic acid and other products.

The most recent accicents at the plant were in 1979, when 12 people were injured, four seriously, in two accidents, the company said. The company also said it received safety awards in 1978-79 from the National Petroleum Refiners Association.

[JP135]

Capt. Kenny Harris, a Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter, was killed in the West explosion while assisting volunteer firefighters battle a blaze at the West Fertilizer Co.

Captain Harris was off-duty and went to help anyway. Rest in Peace, Captain.

Rest in Peace to the rest of the first responders who are still missing.

Godspeed.

[sc281]

Captain Harris was off-duty and went to help anyway. Rest in Peace, Captain.

Rest in Peace to the rest of the first responders who are still missing.

Godspeed.

Put that in the dictionary. The definition of hero.

[DallasSleeper]

They are reporting that when the explosion went off a West firetruck was blown into the air and landed on him. his body has still not been removed from under the truck

[Reefer Rae]

I'd bet his family won't get any assistance due to the fact he was "not on the clock" . RIP HERO !

[quikag]

Put that in the dictionary. The definition of hero.

Amen! RIP

[stevo]

Another random tidbit-

Reports coming out of West today say that workers from the local residential gas company were repairing a leak in a line near the plant, and that a spark from the repairs may have ignited the fire inside the plant.
That is just a "possibility" at this point, and they can't really do any investigating into the cause yet, because what was the plant itself is still smouldering and is still to "hot" to go into

From looking at the two videos, it does appear to have been a fire being fueled by a natural gas line.

Stevo

[01yz2nv]

What can be said that hasn't already been said about the loss of lives in West.
I really dislike that the only reason my class A's come out of the closet is for funerals. R.I.P and Godspeed to all that lost their lives.

[Scott Mc]

Captain Harris was off-duty and went to help anyway. Rest in Peace, Captain.

Rest in Peace to the rest of the first responders who are still missing.

Godspeed.

If you have to go, then this is the way I would want to go. Doing something for others selflessly in a time of chaos. There are no correct words I can state for the respect I have for this man and all the others that act in disasters like this. This world would be a better place if more people were like this hero. Godspeed Captain.