Victims Of West Explosion Honored

Investigators at the site of the West fertilizer plant explosion raised U.S. and Texas flags to half mast Thursday, followed by a brief moment of silence then the sounding of taps by a Texas Department of Public Safety honor guard. A week after the blast that killed 15 and injured more than 200, a memorial service was also planned for 2 p.m. today in Waco, 20 miles south of West.

The Insurance Council of Texas reported Wednesday that damage estimates from the devastating explosion are expected to reach at least $100 million. Authorities said 350 homes were damaged in the April 17 explosion, including 140 completely destroyed.

Residents in the hardest-hit areas were expected to be able to return to their homes beginning at 10 a.m. today. Water service also should be returning to parts of the small town today on a slow, house-by-house basis.

The Czech Republic on Wednesday announced it had approved $200,000 in aid to West, which prides itself on its Czech heritage. West, population 2,800, was founded in 1892 by Czech and German immigrants.

“The aid approved by the government will mostly be used to rebuild the infrastructure of Czech-American organizations and associations in the town,” according to a news release.

The Texas industrial accident attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers are available to help victims of the West fertilizer plant explosion. Contact us now to learn your rights.