-
Be sure to read this post! Beware of scammers. https://www.indianagunowners.com/threads/classifieds-new-online-payment-guidelines-rules-paypal-venmo-zelle-etc.511734/
Massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in Waco, TX
- Thread starter gunowner930
- Start date
The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana
Member Benefits:
Fewer Ads! Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership Discuss anti-gun legislation Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses Discover free outdoor shooting areas View up to date on firearm-related events Share photos & video with other members ...and so much more!
Member Benefits:
w_ADAM_d88
Master
Thoughts and prayers to everyone in the town and all the emergency personnel. I actually know a family that lives right outside of Waco, TX and hope they are okay.
CathyInBlue
Grandmaster
Reminds me of the Pepcon Fertilizer Plant explosion in Henderson, NV, 1988.
https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/08/us/blast-in-nevada-cut-off-supply-of-fuel-element.html
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOPP4ZBgnoA[/ame]
Except only two people died in it, and that was an ammonium perchlorate, not ammonium nitrate.
https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/08/us/blast-in-nevada-cut-off-supply-of-fuel-element.html
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOPP4ZBgnoA[/ame]
Except only two people died in it, and that was an ammonium perchlorate, not ammonium nitrate.
I understand what you are trying to say but can these "ban this and ban that" STOP!!!!! It's never been funny.
Hoosier Cowboy
Master
Right now every report I have read is saying 5-15 dead so far, that's very tragic but better than the 60-80 others reports have reported. I'm sure the death toll will go up after they can get in and find bodies. It's been a very tragic and trying week in America. Wether this was a act of criminal activity,terrorism,weather related or whatever it's unreal to see the early videos and pics from the incident. My thoughts go out to all those affected by this incident including the first responders and this rather small Texas community. This week has been a rude reminder of just how valuable or time on Earth truly is these days.
This appears to be a BLEVE-boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion.
There are what appears to be two 8,000 ish gallon tanks that could have propane in them. they would have been heated up by the fire and BLEVE'd. The blast is typical of that amout of propane going boom.
Normally those tanks are over 100 feet from any buildings, but these were right up against the building on fire.
The wild card is what was in the building. Some have explosion proof rooms with special electrical when mixing chemicals, but the buildings don't look like those types. Could have been a electrical issue but that area doesn't blow up like that if they are doing things right.
Everything points to bleve from what I can tell from the overhead pictures.
There are what appears to be two 8,000 ish gallon tanks that could have propane in them. they would have been heated up by the fire and BLEVE'd. The blast is typical of that amout of propane going boom.
Normally those tanks are over 100 feet from any buildings, but these were right up against the building on fire.
The wild card is what was in the building. Some have explosion proof rooms with special electrical when mixing chemicals, but the buildings don't look like those types. Could have been a electrical issue but that area doesn't blow up like that if they are doing things right.
Everything points to bleve from what I can tell from the overhead pictures.
On your assessment, that was a bleve. Looking at google earth there are A LOT of large high pressure tanks way to close to that fertilizer building. In the video of the explosion that building was completely involved and the wind was blowing right at them. I would think they are NH3 as they have a lot of tank wagons on the lot, but it could be propane too. With that much heat on them it really doesn't matter it is force of the bleve that exploded the hot burning fertilizer, kinda like a primer on gun powder.
Look, I know they never thought of it, but anyone who thinks it's a good idea to hang out recording a fire at an industrial plant....well, a lot of people thought that ship accident in Halifax Harbor was neat to watch too:
Halifax Explosion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A safe distance is way the heck away from whatever is going on.
Halifax Explosion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A safe distance is way the heck away from whatever is going on.
Yup, would not want to be near a fertilizer plant on fire. Talked to the guys at our local plant today and they said it is common practice to let buildings containing herbicides to just burn, adding water can actually make a bad situation worse.
Almost 10% of West has been killed or injured by this. We have 1 employee with family killed (first responder) and another with a family member seriously injured. Another 9 have serious property damage or complete loss. We gave up a hangar so the responders could set up their staging area; airplanes are out on the Tarmac.
Turning out better than would be expected here; not good, but could be much worse. The city of Waco has really stepped up to support West. Lots of people offering up their homes to strangers. Some construction companies are offering free services to make homes livable quickly. Huge linesmen blood donations.
Keep in mind, our closest level 1 trama center is in Dallas (1.5 hours north). And there's only 1 there. I believe Boston has 3 or 4, by comparison.
Personal update: my family is completely unaffected. We're 30miles south (furthest part of Waco from West), didn't hear it inside the house.
Turning out better than would be expected here; not good, but could be much worse. The city of Waco has really stepped up to support West. Lots of people offering up their homes to strangers. Some construction companies are offering free services to make homes livable quickly. Huge linesmen blood donations.
Keep in mind, our closest level 1 trama center is in Dallas (1.5 hours north). And there's only 1 there. I believe Boston has 3 or 4, by comparison.
Personal update: my family is completely unaffected. We're 30miles south (furthest part of Waco from West), didn't hear it inside the house.
Thank you for the first hand account.We all wish you a speedy recovery,and prayers sent.
3 years on, now and that BATFU has determined that it was an act of sabotage. How they determined this, given the explosions devastation is beyond me.
Deadly West, Texas, Fertilizer Plant Explosion Was 'Criminal Act': Feds - NBC News
Deadly West, Texas, Fertilizer Plant Explosion Was 'Criminal Act': Feds - NBC News
If they are certain of this I am wondering how long they have actually known.
Nope. They offered a puny 50K reward for info. Given the size and devastation of the explosion, I'm guessing they are pulling this info out of their asses. There was nothing left at the site but a huge crater. I can't see how any evidence survived.
Last edited:
Site Supporter
Latest posts
-
The Funny Picture/Video Thread, 15th Edition: Be more like Coleman.- Latest: BehindBlueI's
-
-
