Eleven first responders confirmed dead in Texas explosion

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WEST, TX (NEWS1130) – The State Firemen’s & Fire Marshals’ Association is confirming that 11 first responders lost their lives in yesterday’s explosion at a fertilizer plant.

The association says they include five firefighters from the West department, one firefighter from the Dallas department, four EMS responders and one other unknown first responder.

According to the statement released, Cpt. Kenny Harris of the Dallas Fire Department lived in West. The 52-year-old jumped into action when he heard of the fire in his community.

He is the father of three grown sons.

There is still no firm count on how many people have been killed.

The US Environmental Protection Agency is working to determine how safe the air is and if there’s a threat to workers who were in the blast area.

Search-and-rescue efforts are continuing.

The explosion levelled about 75 homes, a nursing home, and an apartment complex.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the explosion registered as a 2.1-magnitude seismic event. It could be felt more than 40 kilometres away.

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