Explosion Demolition Starts in West

WEST, Texas (AP) _ Work crews funded by a church are beginning an effort to knock down 50 unlivable homes in West, where a fertilizer plant explosion devastated the town.

The First Baptist Church of West has committed $200,000 to demolition efforts. Crews had cleared the foundation on two homes Wednesday and were planning to start a third.

More than a month after the deadly explosion at West Fertilizer Company, many of the homes damaged in the blast remain standing. Associate Pastor Phil Immicke says that as he talked to people affected, the need for help with demolition became apparent.

Immicke says the recovery effort is progressing slowly.

Fifteen people died in the blast, including 12 trying to fight an initial fire.

The April 17th blast leveled part of the small town north of Waco.

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