WEST, Texas — A large explosion rocked the town of West, Texas, 19 miles north of Waco, on Wednesday evening.
A source told KVUE's sister station WFAA that a large swath of the small town with a population of 2,800 has been leveled.
The blast around 8 p.m. was at the West Fertilizer plant at 1471 Jerry Mashek Drive, about a half-mile east of Interstate 35.
Shortly before 10 p.m., a dispatcher was advising emergency crews to move away from the burning plant due to concern about chemicals in unexploded tanks.
A triage center that was set up at the West High School football field was evacuated because of its proximity to the burning plant.
"There was a huge shock wave," said Mark Licknovsky who works at the Czech Stop, less than one mile away on Interstate 35. "That's when we knew something was serious."
Every house within four blocks of the facility was heavily damaged, according to initial reports.
"I can see heavy smoke here; there are emergency crews everywhere," said WFAA Todd Unger as he arrived in the devastated town. "We're looking at a home and it is a total loss. There are flames shooting up 10-15 feet."
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed there were multiple injuries. No accurate count was available.
An emergency dispatcher appealed for more more help. "I need anybody and everybody," she said.
At least 10 structures are on fire in the town, including a school which is next door to the plant.
Rescue vehicles from North Texas agencies were racing to the scene on I-35.
Everyone in the community has been asked to evacuate. Schools in West will be closed on Thursday and Friday.
The American Red Cross said teams from Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin will be coordinating with emergency officials in West to provide any needed assistance to town residents who will need help. The Red Cross was attempting to identify a location to set up a shelter for evacuees.
A shock wave from the explosion may have been felt in parts of North Texas and mistaken for an earthquake.
"I live in Groesbeck," wrote Rayne Sibley on WFAA's Facebook page. "I heard a large boom and my house shook."
Facebook users in Venus, Grandview, Cleburne, Ennis and Ferris also reported feeling the shock wave.
"Shook my doors!" wrote Nancy Procaccini of Combine. "Thought it was earthquake!"
Traffic on I-35 was backed up for miles. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes to make room for emergency traffic.
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Originally Posted by Crowe Diddly
