An apartment complex in West, Texas, that was destroyed by the blast.
West, Texas, is perhaps best known as a pit stop between Dallas and Austin where travelers can indulge in delicious kolaches prepared by local bakers of Czech heritage.
But tonight, the entire town north of Waco and 80 miles south of Dallas is essentially a disaster zone after a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant left dozens dead and many more injured.
The explosion at West Fertilizer Inc. reportedly leveled all buildings within a several-block radius and could be felt as far as 45 miles away — in Waxahachie. The blast registered as a 2.1 magnitude earthquake.
A Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman called the damage “massive, just like Iraq, just like the Murray Building in Oklahoma City.”
But no words can describe the video below, which shows a father and son watching the initial fire at the plant when the explosion hits. It’s truly harrowing.
Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by this tragedy and all the first responders involved.
