A Texas fertilizer plant caught fire tonight and then erupted with a huge explosion. At this writing, highly conflicting accounts put the number of fatalities as high as 60-70, but some news outlets have declined to confirm any numbers. Many nearby buildings were reportedly completely destroyed. Via KWTX:
Emergency crews from throughout Central Texas responded just before 8 p.m. Wednesday after the first explosion at the plant in the small town north of Waco. The explosion was reported at around 7:50 p.m. in a frantic radio call from the scene of the fire at West Fertilizer at 1471 Jerry Mashek Dr. just off Interstate 35. The fire started in an anhydrous ammonia tank and spread to the building, authorities said. The resulting explosion spread the fire to the Middle School and to a nearby nursing home. The blast was felt throughout the city and as far away as Hillsboro, Whitney and Blum. Most of the injuries resulted from debris being thrown from the blast, glass, doors and other shrapnel, authorities said.
VIDEO: One man was filming the fire with his young son and caught the explosion on his phone
