Update 2:45 p.m. ET: The fallen firefighter has been identified as 28-year Dallas (TX) Fire-Rescue veteran Stanley Wilson, 51, according to the Dallas News.

Update 10:10 a.m. ET: The body of the missing firefighter has been recovered.

Update 9:50 a.m. ET: According to a Dallas News report, the missing firefighter radio'd earlier in the incident, shortly before 5:30 a.m., to report that he was trapped and lost at the Hearthwood North Condominiums. He is believed to have become trapped when a floor collapsed. The call for the fire came in at 2:52 a.m., and gusty winds help the fire to spread rapidly. It ultimately went to six-alarms (http://bit.ly/10HU8IH).

A search was on for a firefighter who was missing in a multiple alarm fire at a condominium complex in Dallas, Texas.

At least five residents had to be rescued at the fire, according to a CNN report (http://bit.ly/10IorCV). One was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Read more at http://bit.ly/10IorCV.

For more training info on firefighter rescue and Mayday situations, consider Free Firefighter Training Program on Basic Mayday Concepts, Your Mayday --Use It or Lose it, Handling the Mayday : The Fire Dispatcher's Crucial Role, and Mayday : Are You Prepared If It Happens To You?

UPDATE: Bradley Harper, 23, has died due to injuries sustained after being pinned between an ambulance and a fire truck, reports azfamily.com.
 

Emergency crews were able to rock the ambulance back and forth to free the firefighter, who was then rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

"Tonight, one of the worst imaginable things that you could have happen to one of your firefighters, happened," said Chief Bob Khan with the Phoenix Fire Department. "It hits you in the gut. It's like a family member that's gone down. The love you have for the people you work with is not really describable by words; it's just a bond."

Original Story: A Phoenix (AZ) firefighter was critically injured at the scene of a mulch fire after he was pinned between two fire vehicles when crews were re-positioning while fighting the flames, reports Fox 10 Arizona.
 

He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in extremely critical condition. Phoenix Police Sgt. Tommy Thompson described him as "gravely injured."
 

The firefighter is reported by Fox 10 Arizona as 23-years-old, part of engine rescue 21 and has served two years with the Phoenix Fire Department.
 

Phoenix Fire Chief Bob Kahn said, "This is a very serious situation and we're heartbroken, but we still have hope."
 

Read more of the story here http://bit.ly/10bg2Fe

Pam Eckard took a break from watering plants at Brown's Orchards & Farm Market Saturday morning to share memories of Loganville Volunteer Fire Chief Rodney Paul Miller, who died hours earlier after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 83.

As Eckard spoke, tears trailed down her cheeks, her eyes hidden by sunglasses.

She was shaken.

"(Friday) was the first time I had seen him in a month," Eckard said. "He came up, gave me a big bear hug and a kiss on the cheek."

That was Miller, she said. "He was definitely a hugger."

She called him a sweetheart and said he was always smiling.

"He just always seemed

to be so happy," Eckard said.

Eckard said a friend sent her a text message early Saturday morning indicating Miller had been struck by a vehicle while he was directing traffic on the highway.

State police confirmed that Miller was directing traffic off I-83 south in the area of the Glen Rock exit following an earlier crash. Police said Matthew Scott Diehl, 32, of Shrewsbury, drove his white Chevrolet Trailblazer around Miller's parked emergency vehicle and struck Miller.

Police said the emergency lights on Miller's vehicle were flashing at the time. They noted that Diehl continued driving south after striking Miller.

Police charged Diehl with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and related charges.

Firefighters remained at Loganville Volunteer Fire Company throughout the day Saturday, gathering together in their grief.

Don Eberly, the president of Loganville Volunteer Fire Company, shared his sentiments about Miller Saturday afternoon.

"Rodney was a really dedicated chief," he said, pointing out that Miller faithfully attended local meetings to keep informed about what was happening in the community and to look after the interests of the fire company.

Eberly said Miller liked to joke around, "but when a fire call came in, he was serious, he had to be."

Like many at the fire company Saturday, Eberly had spent the day there, unable to sleep during the early morning hours after learning Miller died of his injuries. Before he left for home in search of sleep Saturday afternoon, Eberly noted the presence of surrounding fire companies that had offered condolences and assistance. "It speaks for itself," he said of the firefighting brotherhood. "We've gotta look out for each other."Stan Brown, owner of Brown's Orchards in Springfield Township, said he knew Miller well from their membership withLoganville Volunteer Fire Company.

But more than that, Brown, who served as the fire chief there from 1976 to 1985, said Miller was a friend of his family.

Brown's son Scott, who succeeded him as fire chief from 1986 to 1994, was the "closest of friends" with Miller. Scott passed away several years ago from brain cancer.

"It devastated Rodney" when Scott died, Brown said.

Standing outside of Loganville fire company, where he stopped to take a lunch order from the guys who had remained at the station since the early morning hours, Brown recalled how Miller questioned why God took the good people after Scott's death. Brown pointed toward the sky, and said that Miller was now with his son in the fire department in heaven.

Brown called Miller's death tragic, and said his service in the community was invaluable.

"He was just a perfect example of what a community person can be," Brown said. He said Miller owned his own carpentry business in addition to serving as the fire chief. "They don't make them like that anymore. He would do anything to help his fellow man."

Goodwill Fire Company Chief Shannon Blevins ran with Loganville Volunteer Fire Company when he was 14 years old. He recalled how Miller always took the time to teach the younger guys.

"He wasn't the type to just push you aside," Blevins said. He said he couldn't remember Miller ever yelling at anyone.



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Blevins also described Miller as "country boy," and a "down-to-earth, realistic guy."

Lance Beard, of Beard's Towing Inc., in Jacobus, said Miller was dedicated to serving the community.

He was always the first on the scene and the last one to leave," Beard said. He said no job was too small for Miller to do. "He was right there with everybody."

Beard said Miller was a leader who always kept his cool. "He knew how to handle people. The situation could be total chaos and he kept things calm."

His voice filled with emotion, Beard said tragic events like Miller's death are getting more difficult to face as he gets older. Beard said Miller is going to be hard to replace. "His heart and soul was in the community," Beard said.

A spokesperson for the Miller family said the family did not have any comment Saturday, and they were requesting privacy.

Copyright 2013 - York Daily Record, Pa.

The April 17 explosion left a crater more than 90 feet wide and damaged dozens of buildings, displacing many residents from their homes. The Insurance Council of Texas estimates it caused more than $100 million in damage.

The blast came minutes after a fire was reported at the West Fertilizer plant, operated by Adair Grain Inc. Ten of those killed were first responders who sped out to the nighttime blaze.

The memorial service honored those first responders and two civilians who tried to fight the fire and were posthumously named volunteer firefighters. Among the dead were brothers Douglas and Robert Snokhous, West High School graduates who volunteered together for the town's fire department.

It opened with a photo slide show set to country music that was projected onto a movie screen over their 12 flag-draped coffins. It showed images of the men from their childhood, their weddings and other moments throughout lives filled with children and friends. Mourners were given programs with full-page profiles of each of the victims, describing their lives, their values and their faith.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry eulogized the unpaid firefighters and first responders, lamenting that each had a personal story and journey that drew to a close too soon.

"These are volunteers. Ordinary individuals blessed with extraordinary courage and a determination to do what they could to save lives," he said. "They're the ones who proudly said 'not on my watch' in the moments immediately following that explosion."

Obama added his appearance at the memorial service onto a long-planned trip to Texas for Thursday's opening of George W. Bush's presidential library at Southern Methodist University. West is on the flight path from Dallas to Waco, and the president's helicopter circled over the damage.

The site of the explosion, from the air, looked like a massive construction site, with cranes and dozens of vehicles dotting a wide swath of brown earth. Piles of burnt rubble and scorched earth were clearly visible. From his helicopter, Obama could also see the school field used as a staging ground by first responders.

A parade of fire trucks and other first responders' vehicles paraded through Waco en route to the ceremony at Baylor's sports arena. The vehicles entered under an archway formed by the ladders from two fire trucks with an American flag hung between them.

Nearly 10,000 packed the Ferrell Center, more than three times West's entire population of 2,700. Many of the mourners wore the uniforms of police, firefighters and paramedics and wiped tears from their eyes.

Brian Crawford, fire chief in the Dallas suburb of Plano, attended with 11 others from his department even though they live 100 miles from West.

"With these unfortunate circumstances, it's time to show we are all a family," Crawford said. "These were our brothers and they paid the price."

The tragedy was eclipsed by the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon and the manhunt that ensued throughout last week. Obama attended a memorial service for those victims last week.

After the service, the president and first lady Michelle Obama were planning to visit privately with relatives and friends of firefighters killed in the explosion, the White House said.

___

Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

WEST (CBSDFW.COM) – A national fund has been established to assist the survivors and coworkers of the fire and EMS personnel who died as a result of Wednesday’s fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is organizing the fundraiser and will be using the funds to “assist the survivors and coworkers to rebuild their lives and support the programs and services they will need.”

• Complete Coverage Of The West Fertilizer Explosion

“This fire and explosion have devastated the entire town in which so many people know and care about each other,” said Chief Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF in a statement. “We want to ensure the survivors and coworkers of those who died in the line of duty know that the entire fire service family is holding them in our hearts and doing all we can to offer support.”

Donations can be mailed by check to:
NFFF c/o West, Texas Fire and EMS Fallen Hero Fund
P.O. Drawer 498
Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

Credit card donations can also be made at www.regonline.com/westtx

The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas reports on its website that it has unconfirmed reports that 11 volunteer firefighters from West, Texas, are unaccounted for and are believed to be among the 12 people who died in the explosion. Of the 29 firefighters on the town's roster, five have died and 11 others are hospitalized with injuries, it reported. The town's fire department lost three fire trucks. Another 11 firefighters are reported hospitalized. "Basically, the West VFD is without two-thirds of their members at this point," according to the site. Earlier this morning, Capt. Kenny Harris of Dallas Fire-Rescue was confirmed dead in the explosion.

WEST (CBSDFW.COM) - A 26 year old volunteer firefighter is among those killed in the fertilizer explosion in West Texas, according to friends.

Jerry Chapman was in class at the time the call went out for the initial fire at West Fertilizer Company.

His friends and co-workers say he would not have missed a chance to go help people.

“He worked for the Abbot Volunteer Department. He was happy. He loved working for them,” said Sharon Matthews, who worked with Chapman for 8 years.

She says he worked, volunteered and took EMT classes.


“He loved it…was supposed to graduate April 24th, had everything going for him…everything.”

Chapman had just celebrated a birthday on April 7, was one of the first to respond to the explosion.

His friends say it was his dream to become a firefighter.

“All he wanted to do was be a firefighter and he almost got it. He died (doing) what he wanted to do,” said coworker Stephanie Evans.

The Hillsboro Black-eyed Pea is holding a fundraiser for Chapman’s family on Saturday, April 20. Twenty percent of the restaurants proceeds will be donated to his family.

WEST, Texas — A Dallas Fire-Rescue captain was confirmed dead in the West Fertilizer Co. explosion, according to a statement released by Lt. Joel Lavender, a spokesman with the department Thursday afternoon.

CLICK FOR UPDATES FROM SCENE

Capt. Kenny Harris, who lives in West, served as a firefighter at Station 30 in Dallas. Harris was not a volunteer firefighter for West but responded when he heard news of the fire that broke out Wednesday night at the plant, the statement read. Harris, 52, was a father of three grown sons.

"Captain Harris rushed to the scene compelled to provide assistance to his community during this crisis," said Mayor Mike Rawlings. "I want to express my deepest condolences to his family, friends and co-workers."

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency were at the scene of the plant explosion that left an unknown number of people dead, said McLennan County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Matt Cawthon in a briefing at about 3:30 p.m.

The agencies were at the scene testing the air quality in response to ammonium nitrate found at the scene, the deputy said.

"We have the TCEQ and EPA going in now to determine how dangerous it is for first responders," he said.

While authorities once again confirmed there were casualties from the Wednesday explosion, they stated they were not ready to give an estimate on the number of dead and injured.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott also spoke at the afternoon briefing. He expressed his support for first responders and the residents whose families were "were literally torn apart in an instant."

"These are tough Texans," he said. "These people who were affected by this blast, they're up to dealing with this challenge."

Abbott also warned businesses not to use the tragedy as a price gouging opportunity.

The number of those trapped inside rubble from the explosion is still unknown, said Sgt. William Patrick Swanton in a briefing just after 8 a.m. He described the process as "slow and methodical." Some of the buildings are structurally unsound and must be reinforced before emergency crews can enter.

"We're using every available resource we have to do that correct so we don't miss anything or anyone," Swanton said. "It is tedious, it is time consuming, it is a very methodical process they are doing."

In addition to search and rescue teams provided by the state, squads from Fort Hood and Burleson are assisting in finding any trapped residents, the sergeant said.

Swanton said he felt "pretty comfortable" estimating the amount of fatalities at between five and 15 and the number of injured at more than 160. He did not say how many residents are unaccounted for.

"There is a significant area around the fertilizer plant that has been destroyed," Swanton said. "Homes have been destroyed; homes have been flattened; part of that community is gone."

Two women and a man injured in the blast were taken to JPS Health Network in Fort Worth. Another couple suffered shrapnel injuries despite being two miles from the blast. They're being treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, officials said.

Swanton did confirm that there are firefighters unaccounted for. He was unsure of how many.

The sergeant reported that one of the missing firefighters, who also serves as a law enforcement officer, was found in a hospital with serious injuries. The volunteer firefigthers were reported missing after responding to the fire reported at the plant before the explosion.

At 4:15 a.m., West, Texas EMS director Dr. George Smith confirmed that two paramedics lost their lives in Tuesday night's explosion at West Fertilizer Company.

A Facebook page was established in memory of several firefighters who reportedly perished in the blast.

The blast happened around 8 p.m. 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 few minutes later, WFAA's Todd Unger reported hearing more explosions north of the plant. While the incident is classified as a crime scene, Swanton said investigators had found no evidence of anything criminal causing the explosion.

He said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is at the scene to conduct that part of the investigation.

Swanton added that teams continued going door-to-door Wednesday morning looking for anyone who might be injured or trapped.

The initial fire call at the fertilizer plant was logged at 7:29 p.m. Twenty-four minutes later -- as firefighters, police and paramedics were evacuating nearby residents -- there was a devastating explosion.

At the 8 a.m. briefing, Swanton said the fires at the plant and homes continued to smolder but were not out of control.

The explosion was so large the U.S. Geological Survey classified it as a 2.1 magnitude earthquake.

According to records from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the plant worked with anhydrous ammonia, a colorless gas. While the facility is known as a plant to those who live in the area, it's actually a fertilizer chemical storage facility. No fertilizer is actually made at the site.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman D.L. Wilson said half the town was evacuated –– if the wind shifts to the north, Wilson feared the other half would need to leave as well.

"There still are other ingredients there on the facility so we don't want that to explode again," the trooper said in the early morning hours on Thursday. "We're worried about people, not property."

Wilson's fear never came to fruition. By 10 a.m., Swanton said the weather had calmed and there was no more risk.

He said at least 50 to 75 homes had been damaged, and that an apartment complex with 50 units was "just a skeleton standing up."

Wilson said the damage was massive. "Just like Iraq; just like the Murrah building in Oklahoma City."

Hillcrest Baptist Hospital in Waco treated about 94 patients, said spokesman Glenn Robinson. He estimated about 12 to be critically wounded and the others to have more minor injuries, such as lacerations. He said many patients had already been discharged by 1 a.m. and expected the majority to be allowed to leave by the morning.

Some individuals were still being transported in school buses early Thursday morning.

"That's an encouraging number because that means we've been able to treat and release a great number that we've already seen this evening," Robinson said.

While the outpouring of support from emergency officials was encouraging, Wilson said enough are in the town.

"We are overflowing with help," he said. "We do not need any more help."

Mayor Tommy Muska said 133 people at a nearby nursing home all had to be evacuated.

"It was like a nuclear bomb went off," said one man who was looking for a lost relative on Willie Nelson Road.

Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson (R-Waco) said he has toured the damaged area and said it looked like a "war zone." He said he's spoken with representatives from Gov. Rick Perry's office and DPS and praised their effort.

A large swath of the small town with a population of 2,800 was damaged. Fearing additional explosions, officials ordered residents to evacuate.

A triage center that was set up at the West High School football field was evacuated because of its proximity to the burning plant. The processing center was moved to the town's community center.

An information hotline was set up for concerned friends and relatives at 254.202.1100 . The line was overwhelmed with calls; if you get a busy signal, keep trying.

"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."

West Town Council member Cheryl Marak told WFAA the blast killed her pets and confirmed heavy damage at the middle school.

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."

An emergency dispatcher appealed for more help. "I need anybody and everybody," she said.

At least 10 structures were 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.


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.

Evacuees were being directed to the community center in Abbott, about five miles north of West.<...  [  more  ]  

A massive explosion at a fertilizer plant ripped through a small Texas town Wednesday night, creating a powerful shockwave that flattened homes, smashed out windows and could be felt as far as 80 miles away.

The blast may have killed as many as 15 people and injured more than 160, officials said, though they are still in the search and rescue phase as of Thursday afternoon and could not confirm the death toll.

Louise Mills confirmed on Thursday that her brother, firefighter Morris Bridges, died in the explosion, as did Captain Kenny Harris, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue. The explosion also claimed the life of a third firefighter Brian Uptmor, according to his brother.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry called the explosion "truly a nightmare scenario" and said at least 75 homes were damaged in the blast.

"This tragedy has most likely hit every family, has touched practically everyone in that town," Perry said during a Thursday morning news conference.

He emphasized that much of the information about victims remains "very preliminary." President Barack Obama offered in a phone call a quick turnaround of declaring McLennan County an emergency disaster that is eligible for federal aid, Perry said.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said the explosion night knocked people "all over the town" back 10 feet, including some through windows.

"Just fire everywhere," said Sammy Chavez, who witnessed the explosion. "Bodies on the ground, bloody bodies, people in panic. Firemen, fire trucks, police cars filled the town."

Volunteer firemen from the West Fire Department initially responded to a fire at 7:30 p.m. at West Fertilizer Company. Six volunteer firemen responded to the fire, recognized the potential for an explosion and began evacuating nearby homes and businesses, Waco Police Department Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said.

At about 7:53 p.m., the explosion ripped through the plant. Five of the volunteer firemen were missing, Swanton said.

"We need your prayers," said Tommy Muska, West's mayor. "There's a lot of people that got hurt. There's a lot of people, I'm sure, will not be here tomorrow."

First responders worked through the night to evacuate residents and conduct door-to-door welfare checks on residents living in the blast area. Witnesses said several nearby buildings -- including a high school, a nursing home and an apartment building -- were severely damaged. The nursing home's 133 residents were safely evacuated, officials said.

Thursday morning, Swanton said a significant area near the facility had been flattened and that "part of that community is gone."

Through the night, firefighters struggled to contain the blaze because of toxic fumes. Officials worried that an unexploded tank that continued to vent gas could cause another explosion. But by Thursday morning, officials said that while the fire continued to smolder, they were no longer worried about another explosion.

Injured Transported to Hospitals in DFW, Waco, Temple

Late Wednesday, Texas state Trooper D.L. Wilson said that more than 100 people were injured. Thursday morning, that number has grown to nearly doubled with at least 167 people being treated at hospitals in Waco, Temple, Dallas and Fort Worth.

Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco treated more than 100 patients, the hospital said Thursday morning. More than 50 people were treated and released by emergency medical staff, but five were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and another 28 were admitted. Two children were transported to McLane's Children's Hospital in Temple.

Officials with Hillcrest Baptist reported no fatalities and said five surgeries were performed on blast victims. Some patients, officials said, needed fertilizer decontamination, including irrigation of the eyes. The hospital, a Level 2 Trauma Center, said it was still on standby to receive more patients if needed.

Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center CEO Glenn Robinson told the Waco Tribune-Herald that many of the patients coming in "looked just like regular families -- a mom, dad, children coming in together."

Providence Hospital, also in Waco, received 65 patients.

Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas confirmed that it was treating two people injured in the West explosion. One arrived by helicopter, and other was transported by ambulance, the hospital said.

John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth confirmed Wednesday night that one patient was sent their way.

Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, a Level-1 Trauma Center, said it received three patients. Two other patients were taken to McLane Children's Hospital, also in Temple.

The extent of their injuries was not immediately available. Word on the patients' conditions was expected to be released after sunrise Thursday.

Powerful Blast Recorded by USGS as 2.1M Explosion

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the explosion at the fertilizer plant registered as a 2.1-magnitude explosion.

The magnitude is "substantially less than the true size of the event" because the magnitude only measures the ground motion, not the air wave, the USGS said on its website.

Mayor Muska said he felt the explosion before he heard it and that it was so powerful that it blew his hat off his head and the mirror off his vehicle.

A resident who lives two blocks away from the plant told NBC 5 DFW that the impact felt like a plane had gone down near her.

West is about 70 miles south of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but people as far north as south Arlington reported feeling the explosion. Numerous NBC 5 DFW iewers in places such as Cleburne, Waxahachie and Midlothian contacted NBC 5 DFW, saying they believed they felt an earthquake.

Muska said he did not know how many homes were affected by the blast's five-block radius. His own home's windows and doors were blown off, he said.

Wilson, the Texas state trooper, said 50 to 75 homes were damaged, in addition to 50 units at an apartment complex that were just "a skeleton." Chopper 5 could see that the entire second floor of a two-story apartment building had collapsed.

Swanton described the damage as "quite a bit of devastation" in the downtown area.

Update from Chief Billy Goldfeder, courtesy of FirefighterCloseCalls:

While not official (we consider "official" based upon what is posted by USFA/NFFF) - details from reliable and involved fire service leadership at the scene in West, Texas (20 miles north of Waco) are indicating that, at this time it appears that: 5 West Firefighters, 4 EMS Medics, 1 Off Duty Fire Captain from Dallas (who was in town at the time and was assisting) and 1 unconfirmed (unknown agency at this point) Firefighter have been killed in the Line of Duty. Active search and rescue operations are continuing.

WEST, Texas (AP) — A massive explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant that killed as many as 15 people and injured more than 160 left the blast site too hot for emergency teams to get close on Thursday, while rescuers searched the shattered farming community for survivors.

FRM/FFN Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion Coverage

FireRescue Magazine/FirefighterNation.com Resources:

• Search Operations for Urban Disasters
• LCES during Building Collapse Response

The Wednesday evening blast shook the ground with the strength of a small earthquake, leveling homes and businesses for blocks in every direction. Witnesses captured the searing blast and mushroom cloud on their cellphones.

The explosion in downtown West, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of Dallas, could be heard dozens of miles away. It sent flames shooting into the night sky and rained burning embers, shrapnel and debris on frightened residents.

"They are still getting injured folks out, and they are evacuating people from their homes," Waco police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said Thursday morning. "They have not gotten to the point of no return where they don't think that there's anybody still alive." He did not know how many people had been rescued.

There was no indication the blast, which sent up a mushroom-shaped plume of smoke and left behind a yawning crater, was anything other than an industrial accident, Swanton said.

Morning revealed a landscape wrapped in acrid smoke and strewn with the shattered remains of buildings, furniture and personal belongings. The explosion sheared away the front of an apartment complex, leaving behind twisted beams, shattered windows and great heaps of broken wood. Cars were battered as if a tornado had spun through town.

Authorities had trouble entering the heart of the blast zone.

"It's still too hot to get in there," said Franceska Perot, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said Thursday morning.

Among those believed to be dead were three to five volunteer firefighters. The many injuries included broken bones, cut and bruises, respiratory problems and minor burns. Five people were reported in intensive care.

In the hours after the blast, residents wandered the dark, windy streets searching for shelter. Among them was Julie Zahirniako, who said she and her son, Anthony, had been at a school playground near the plant when the explosion hit.

It threw her son four feet (over a meter) in the air, breaking his ribs. She said she saw people running from a nursing home, and the roof of the school lifted into the sky.

"The fire was so high," she said. "It was just as loud as it could be. The ground and everything was shaking."

Authorities said the plant made materials similar to those used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. It was also used in the first bombing attempt at the World Trade Center in 1993.

The fertilizer used in that attack, ammonium nitrate, makes big explosions, be they accidental or intentional, said Neil Donahue, professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University.

Ammonium nitrate is stable, but if its components are heated sufficiently, they break apart in a runaway explosive chemical reaction, Donahue said.

"The hotter it is, the faster the reaction will happen," Donahue said. "That really happens almost instantaneously, and that's what gives the tremendous force of the explosion."

West Mayor Tommy Muska told reporters that his city of about 2,800 people needs "your prayers."

About a half-hour before the blast, the town's volunteer firefighters had responded to a call at the plant, Swanton said. They immediately realized the potential for disaster because of the plant's chemical stockpile and began evacuating the surrounding area.

The blast happened 20 minutes later.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board was deploying a large investigation team to the site. An ATF national response team that investigates all large fires and explosions was also expected.

There were no immediate details on the number of people who work at the plant, which was cited by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2006 for failing to obtain or to qualify for a permit. The agency acted after receiving a complaint in June of that year of a strong ammonia smell.

Federal regulators fined the company $10,000 last year for safety violations, but the government accepted $5,250 after the company took what it described as corrective actions.

Records reviewed by The Associated Press show that the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration determined that the West Fertilizer Co. planned to transport anhydrous ammonia without making or following a security plan. An inspector also found that the plant's ammonia tanks weren't properly labeled.

It is not unusual for companies to negotiate lower fines with regulators.

Other notable fertilizer explosions have included the 2001 explosion at a chemical and fertilizer plant that killed 31 people and injured more than 2,000 in Toulouse, France, and the 1947 Texas City disaster, when a fire in a cargo ship holding more than 2,000 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire and exploded, killing more than 500 people.

___

Associated Press writers Schuyler Dixon, Nomaan Merchant and Terry Wallace in Dallas; Betsy Blaney in Lubbock and Seth Borenstein and Jack Gillum in Washington and video journalist Raquel Dillion in West contributed to this report.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

The mayor of a Texas town where a fertilizer plant explosion injured more than 100 people says some firefighters who were battling a blaze when the blast happened aren't accounted for.

West Mayor Tommy Muska said there were five or six volunteer firefighters battling the blaze at the West Fertilizer plant when the explosion happened just before 8 p.m. Wednesday.

After learning of the explosion, Louise Mills drove to West from Ennis to check on her brother who is a firefighter.

"He was the first respond for the West Fire Department and we haven't heard from him since and everybody is gone from the fire station and his car is still sitting there. We went to all the hospitals, he's not at any of the hospitals," said Mills. "I'm thinking he's died a hero, I really do."

Muska, a volunteer firefighter himself, was headed to the fire when the blast knocked his helmet off and shattered the windows of his nearby home.

Authorities said an unknown number of people were killed in the blast, which leveled buildings for several blocks in every direction.

An explosion has been reported at a fertilizer plant that is on fire in the town of West in McLennan County on Wednesday night.

A fire at the plant in the 300 block of Haven Street was reported shortly after 7 p.m.

Sources tell NBC 5 that the explosion occurred while firefighters were at the plant on a fire call.

First responders are reporting multiple injuries.

Viewers tell NBC 5 that a nearby funeral home and an apartment complext sustained serious damage after the blast.

Interstate 35 is closed in McLennan County because of the fire.

People as far north as south Arlington reported feeling the explosion, with many thinking at first that they felt an earthquake.

NBC 5 has crews on the way and we'll update this story with more information as soon as it's available. As this story is developing, elements may change.

NBC 5's Ben Russell contributed to this report.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. —

Channel 2 Action News has confirmed the identity of the man who held five firefighters hostage Wednesday afternoon as Lauren Holman Brown.

All five Gwinnett County firefighters who were held hostage Wednesday afternoon have been released from the hospital after being treated for superficial shrapnel injuries.

Fire officials said just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, an unidentified man faked having a heart attack to draw the firefighters to his home at 2440 Walnut Grove Way, near Collins Hill and Taylor roads. The neighborhood is across from Walnut Grove Elementary School off Interstate 85.

It is unclear what motivated the gunman to hold the firefighters hostage.

One of the firefighters was released early on, but four more remained inside the home.

Channel 2 Action News obtained radio transmissions from inside the home while the hostage situation was going on.

"(He has) multiple guns, multiple rifles," the firefighter said. "We're in a situation where we have an armed person and he is requesting certain utilities to be turned back on at his house. He is armed and we are in the room with him.”

Channel 2’s Kerry Kavanaugh said several Gwinnett County SWAT officers were already at the home when she arrived just after 5 p.m.

For several hours, the man in the home demanded that his utilities be turned back on. A Freddie Mac spokesperson confirmed that the home is in foreclosure and being prepped for sale.

Around 7:30 p.m., police decided to send in SWAT officers.

"It got to the point where we believed that their lives were in immediate danger and our SWAT team made a decision to go in there and neutralize the situation," Cpl. Ed Ritter of the Gwinnett County Police Department said.

SWAT officers used flash-bang, or concussion grenades, to catch the gunman off-guard as they entered the home.

A source told Kavanaugh that the SWAT officers used a breaching charge, which was designed to breach the window, wall and door of the home. The source said the damage to the home was intended, and officers knew where the firefighters were located inside the home at the time of the explosion.

The goal of the blast was to disorient and distract the gunman.


Officials said gunfire was exchanged, but it is unclear if the man shot himself, or if he was killed by officers.

One of the officers was shot in the hand, but officials told Kavanaugh he is in good condition.

The firefighters involved were called to the home because they are cross-trained as emergency medical technicians, Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge told Kavanaugh.

"This was a typical emergency response, no indication that anything would go wrong, and firefighters went in with their multiple equipment to perform patient care and meet the need of the person who is inside," he said.

Rutledge said the department is relieved that everyone involved escaped safely.

"In talking to firefighters and their families, they are relieved, simply relieved, that situation is over, that family members (are) with them," Rutledge said.

The identities of the firefighters have not been released.

Officers are expected to return to the home on Thursday to continue their investigation.

Firefighters leave hospital

As of late Wednesday night, all of the firefighters had been released from Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville. Officials said the officer who was shot is in good condition.

Channel 2's Craig Lucie arrived at the hospital shortly after the firefighters were released late Wednesday night and found a large number of firefighters and police starting to gather.

A Gwinnett County fire truck was parked in front of the Gwinnett Medical Center emergency room where police continued to stand by late Wednesday night.

A hospital spokesperson couldn't say by law what the extent of the firefighters' injuries were, but did say all five firefighters and a Gwinnett County police officer who was shot, were in good condition.

"We are staffed with trauma surgeons and appropriate staff to handle emergencies such as these. We followed emergency protocol and the plan went accordingly," Gwinnett Medical Center spokeswoman Beth Okun said.

"Those firefighters again had superficial injuries, not from gunfire, due to shrapnel being detonated," Rutledge said.

As the scene unfolded, Lucie stopped by several fire stations, including Fire Station 13, where their fire trucks were gone. A firefighter at another station told Lucie that they were watching everything unfold live on TV.

"Certainly every firehouse, every firefighter off duty, command staff members, everyone was glued to the coverage," Rutledge said.

Rutledge said the firefighters would also meet with the critical incident stress management team since this was an extremely emotional and tense situation for a couple of hours.


More on the gunman

As the hostage drama unfolded, Channel 2 Action News started digging into the history of the home and the man believed to be the hostage taker.

Channel 2 identified the gunman Wednesday evening, but refrained from identifying him until his name was confirmed by police.

While motive remains unclear, Channel 2's Richard Elliot learned the home itself was in foreclosure. Freddie Mac spokesman Brad German confirmed the home was owned first by Wells Fargo and then sold to Freddie Mac.

Elliot confirmed there was renter living inside and apparently, the man had his utilities turned off.


Neighbors react to hostage situation

Neighbor Steven Hayes said he thought his wife, who was home with their two young kids, was joking when she told him their neighborhood was filled with law enforcement cars.

"She told me when I was at work that a bunch of cops were coming and the SWAT was outside. At first I didn't believe her. I thought it was a prank until she sent me some pictures and they just kept showing up. The whole neighborhood is just full of SWAT and cops right now," Hayes said.

Channel 2's Richard Elliot spoke to a resident near the front entrance of the neighborhood. Jake Major said his mother, who was supposed to pick him up from work, was stuck inside their home.

"She was supposed to be at my job at 4:30 to pick me up," Major said.

He said she called him back to tell him that she couldn't leave because of the SWAT situation.

"Her and my three brothers are there and the handyman (is) there. Can't nobody get out," Major said. "She said (officers) were going door to door telling everybody they can't leave the house right now."

Major told Elliot his neighbor seemed odd, but not out of the ordinary.

"I mean, I cut his grass maybe three, four times, but nothing out of the ordinary, I would say. I mean, he had long hair and a ponytail, but I mean, nothing out of the ordinary," Major told Elliot. "Very messy house. House was a mess. I do remember that."

Police restricted people from entering the neighborhood during the ordeal.


Channel 2's Richard Elliot, Craig Lucie and Kerry Kavanaugh contributed to this article

We regret to advise you that a 2nd Firefighter has now died in the Line of Duty and 2 other Firefighter remain injured after the fire and collapse at that Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Bryan.

54-year-old Lieutenant Gregory Pickard (32 years on the job) and 36-year-old Lieutenant Eric Wallace (13 years) have both lost their lives in what we have been told was an attempt to save other Firefighters.  30-year-old FF Ricky Mantey Jr. and 21-year-old FF Mitchel Moran remain in the hospital in stable condition. At some point Lt. Wallace's team went into the structure, but was ordered to evacuate. Wallace didn't come out and he called for help, saying he was low on air. Firefighters found Wallace, a 13-year veteran, inside and early reports indicated Wallace became trapped when a portion of the roof reportedly collapsed.

 

FUNERAL DETAILS FOR LT. WALLACE:

Funeral arrangements for Lt. Eric Wallace have just been set as follows. The funeral will be Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Bryan. The funeral procession will immediately follow the funeral service with burial at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Marlin.

We regret to advise you that an Indianapolis EMS crew member was killed in the Line of Duty this morning-and a 2nd is extremely critical following a crash.

The crash happened around 0330 Hours at the intersection of St. Clair Street and Senate Avenue. The driver and the medic in the ambulance were extricated and transported to Wishard Hospital in critical condition. Reports are that a car that was westbound on St. Clair struck the ambulance that was southbound on Senate. The female driver of the passenger car was in good condition and transported to Wishard for a legal blood draw. Our initial reports are that the crew members are Wishard EMS personnel, which is the Indy 9-1-1 EMS service.
The traffic light at the intersection was flashing yellow for northbound and southbound vehicles and red for vehicles that were eastbound and westbound at the time of the crash and the ambulance was struck by a passenger car while going through the intersection of Senate and St. Clair around 3:37 a.m. The ambulance had the right of way.

 

A few Lima firefighters suffered minor injuries while attempting to fight flames that fully engulfed a home on Madison Avenue this morning.

Lima Fire Department responded to 902 Madison Ave. on Lima's south side around 5:30 a.m. in reference to flames shooting out of the two-story house.

Battalion Chief Greg Kirkendall said not even five minutes after firefighters entered the residence, part of the roof collapsed in, resulting in some falls and minor injuries for a few firefighters.

A resident was home at the time of the fire, Kirkendall said. He did not have smoke detectors, but he awoke, saw the flames, quickly evacuated and called the fire department.

The fire was believed to have been started by a wood burner the resident had lit around 1 a.m. this morning, Kirkendall said. The home was a total loss.

Fire officials were still working on the structure to see if it was stable enough to re-enter around 8 a.m.