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Fertilizer Plant Explodes in West, Texas

By the Web Editors
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Smoke rises in the distance about half a mile from the West Fertilizer Company April 18. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Apr 18, 2013
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A fertilizer plant exploded Wednesday evening, killing at least five and injuring more than 100, according to CNN. From the report: 

"Nothing at this point indicates we have had criminal activity, but we are not ruling that out," said Sgt. William Patrick Swanton of the nearby Waco Police Department.

A more immediate question is how high the death toll will rise.

It could be between five and 15, Swanton said. Dr. George Smith, the city's emergency management system director, said it could spike to 60 or 70.

"We have two EMS personnel that are dead for sure, and there may be three firefighters that are dead," Smith said.

West, Texas is a Czech town located just north of Waco, Texas, home to Baylor University. The town is beloved by Baylor students, who often make trips north to stock up on kolaches at Czech Stop. On Wednesday night, students gathered on campus to pray for those affected by the explosion. 

Sojourners joins in prayer with countless others, asking for speed in the continued search for survivors, for strength for the first responders, doctors, volunteers, and others, and for comfort for all those in Central Texas.

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Smoke rises in the distance about half a mile from the West Fertilizer Company April 18. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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