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Texas fertilizer plant explodes

Updated 9:45 PM ET, Wed April 16, 2014

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Forensic mappers work the crater at the site of a fire and explosion in West, Texas, on April 24, 2013. The West Fertilizer Co. plant in the small Texas town exploded days earlier on April 17, killing 15 people.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Forensic mappers work the crater at the site of a fire and explosion in West, Texas, on April 24, 2013. The West Fertilizer Co. plant in the small Texas town exploded days earlier on April 17, killing 15 people.
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Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives search the bank of rail tracks for evidence at the site of the explosion.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives search the bank of rail tracks for evidence at the site of the explosion.
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Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building, in foreground, and a nursing home on April 18, 2013.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building, in foreground, and a nursing home on April 18, 2013.
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The remains of an apartment complex lie on cars.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – The remains of an apartment complex lie on cars.
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A deer head mount sits inside a car parked next to an apartment complex damaged in the explosion.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A deer head mount sits inside a car parked next to an apartment complex damaged in the explosion.
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A Valley Mills Fire Department firefighter walks through the remains of an apartment complex next to the fertilizer plant.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A Valley Mills Fire Department firefighter walks through the remains of an apartment complex next to the fertilizer plant.
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Smoke rises from the rubble of a house next to the fertilizer plant.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Smoke rises from the rubble of a house next to the fertilizer plant.
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A railroad boxcar lies on its side near the plant.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A railroad boxcar lies on its side near the plant.
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A Texas State Trooper stops people from entering a neighborhood near the plant.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A Texas State Trooper stops people from entering a neighborhood near the plant.
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A chimney is the only part of a home left standing after the explosion.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A chimney is the only part of a home left standing after the explosion.
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Brandon Smith removes broken glass from the West Thrift Shop.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Brandon Smith removes broken glass from the West Thrift Shop.
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Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Search and rescue workers comb through what remains of a 50-unit apartment building.
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The West Fertilizer Co. lies in ruins.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – The West Fertilizer Co. lies in ruins.
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A sheriff's deputy comforts a woman at a command post.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – A sheriff's deputy comforts a woman at a command post.
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Remains of the fertilizer plant burn in the early morning after the explosion.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Remains of the fertilizer plant burn in the early morning after the explosion.
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Water is sprayed on the remains of the plant.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Water is sprayed on the remains of the plant.
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With smoke rising in the distance, a law enforcement officer runs a checkpoint at the perimeter about half a mile from the plant.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – With smoke rising in the distance, a law enforcement officer runs a checkpoint at the perimeter about half a mile from the plant.
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Waco Police spokesman William Swanton speaks to reporters about the explosion.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Waco Police spokesman William Swanton speaks to reporters about the explosion.
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Glass from blown-out windows lies shattered on the sidewalk and street after the blast.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Glass from blown-out windows lies shattered on the sidewalk and street after the blast.
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Shattered glass covers items in front of a thrift store.
Photos: Photos: Texas fertilizer plant explodes
Texas fertilizer plant explodes – Shattered glass covers items in front of a thrift store.
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