WEST, Texas (AP) _ The owner of the fertilizer plant that shattered a Central Texas town and killed at least 14 people says his “heart is broken with grief for the tragic losses.”
In a statement Friday, West Fertilizer owner Donald Adair said the Wednesday explosion “will continue to hurt deeply for generations to come.”
The blast also injured more than 200 people and destroyed about 50 homes nearby.
Adair said one of his own plant employees was among the dead. He was among the volunteer firefighters killed fighting a fire that led to the explosion.
Adair said he and his family were grateful for the service of those who died trying to fight the fire. He also said he and the plant management and employees are “working closely” with agencies investigating the disaster.
On Friday morning’s WTAW Infomaniacs program:
State Representative Kyle Kacal of rural College Station, whose district includes West, has made multiple trips since the explosion of the fertilizer plant.
Kacal says with spring planting and recent rains, the plant was at full capacity at the time of the explosion.
Kacal described the explosion as a “freak accident” and that the company does a fine job in its operation.
Comments from Kyle Kacal