Very sad, large explosion at a fertiliser plant.
link

Let this tragedy be a sad reminder that some disasters strike suddenly without warning, unlike say extreme weather.

Shows the importance of being prepared, first aid skils and supplies would be especialy valuable in such cases.

I am sure that all our thoughts are with the bereaved and injured.

1kt of explosive force!

A short video of the explosion...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROrpKx3aIjA&feature=youtu.be

hmmm,
fertilizer plant ~300 yards from homes/school,
fire at fertilizer plant,
fire leads to fertilizer explosion 10min later,
worst case scenario realized
stick frame buildings never stood a chance

ssudden, but predictable , very sad
Explosion hits fertilizer plant north of Waco, Texas - CNN.com
Ammonium nitrate disasters - Wikipedia

Scary stuff!

That report makes an interesting note about risk management:

"Separately, the plant had informed the Environmental Protection Agency that it presented no risk of fire or explosion, according to The Dallas Morning News. It did so in an emergency planning report required of facilities that use toxic or hazardous chemicals.

The plant's report to the EPA said even a worst-case scenario wouldn't be that dire: there would be a 10-minute release of ammonia gas that wouldn't kill or injure anyone, the newspaper reported."

I wonder if a better risk assessment & mitigation plans could have made a difference.

I,m surprised why the plant, being that close to the town was not required to have blast burms installed around the perimeter like they often require around ammo dumps and fire works site. it seems this simple precaution could have averted lots of this damage by directing the blast more upward.

The news this morning made me recall the Teas City disaster, which was the detonation of a ship load of ammonium nitrate - 66 years and one day ago.

I dont think we have as many safety precautions,or the will to make them viable as we had in times past.We used to be rolling in money as a country and willingly paid for proper protection.Thats out the window now in private enterprise,they are struggling hard just to keep the doors open is my take on it.

I see this type of thing increasing going forward IMO.FWIW

I live approx. 60 miles north as the crow flies. We distinctly heard the blast.