A Waco explosion that is currently a developing situation has not been contained, much less assessed for full scale of damage, but as many as 60 to 70 people may have died in the inferno in West, Texas.
Initial reports of the situation on the ground near Waco at the site of the blast provide scant information as to the extent of the devastation, but one local news source spoke with a local doctor who said as many as 70 people are estimated to have died in the explosion — no deaths have yet been confirmed.
A local Fox affiliate cites CNN in the possible death toll estimate, reporting:
“Dr. [George] Smith Director of West EMS believes that there are 60 to 70 dead and hundreds injured.”
As first responders attempt to contain the situation on the ground at and around the West Fertilizer Plant fire, purported video of the Waco blast has been circulating on YouTube — but is as of yet unverified as definitively from tonight’s incident in West, Texas.
In the clip, a man films a blaze at the fertilizer plant before a massive explosion rocks the facility, and someone who sounds like a child present begs the man to drive away.
Below, the footage said to be of the explosion, which some users have described as disturbing:
A Dallas Fort Worth CBS affiliate has now corroborated the report of 60 dead in the blast near Waco:
NOW: Evacuating town of #West . Wind from southeast blowing ammonia fumes west of Hillsboro into SW Hill County cbsloc.al/ZyJ2Gh
— CBSDFW (@CBSDFW) April 18, 2013
Following the West Fertilizer Plant near Waco, Texas Governor Rick Perry released the following statement moments ago, saying:
“We are monitoring developments and gathering information as details continue to emerge about this incident. We have also mobilized state resources to help local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of West, and the first responders on the scene.”
Police scanner: “Tell civilians if they see someone hurt, treat them” – town is truly overwhelmed. #waco #WestTX
— Anonymous (@OpocAnOn) April 18, 2013
As of 12:08 AM EST, local authorities are saying firefighters may be among the dead at the site of the West Fertilizer Co. explosion near Waco.
