Fertilizer Plant Explosion in West, Texas

[CAP4117]

Reports of multiple deaths and many injuries, as well as extensive damage. No word on a cause yet that I know of. The area is being evacuated due to the potential of a second explosion and severe Haz-mat issues.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/18/us/texas-explosion/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[A.Member]

Yeah, this video is crazy (wait until about :30 sec):
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Fertilizer Plant Explosion Near Waco, Texas

Reportedly, the explosion has several of the initial first responders being unaccounted for.  After viewing the video above, it's easy to understand why.  Godspeed to them and the others there. 

A number of lessons to be gleaned from the video above.

[bosshawk]

A good reminder that the Oklahoma City blast was caused by a truck with three or four tons of fertilizer in it.

In VN, it was usually plastic explosives, but they made one Hell of a noise, too.

[LTC Don]

Wise man once say, "If you can hold your thumb up and still see the incident, then you're still too close."     

[Luis R. Ramos]

Or, as a curmudgeon changed it, "if you can hold your thumb up, check other limbs, if the thumb was the only one blown off, consider yourself lucky..."