• Philip Burn

The Salvation Army responding at large explosion in West, Texas

Dallas, TX (April 18, 2013) - The Salvation Army is responding after a large explosion at a fertilizer plant devastated the small city of West, Texas, just before 8:00 PM, Wednesday evening. The Salvation Army quickly mobilized support teams and by midnight had deployed five Emergency Disaster Canteens (mobile kitchens) to the area.

The massive blast, that measured 2.1 on the Richter scale, was felt as far as 80 miles away in Dallas. It is estimated that between 50-75 homes have been damaged or destroyed including a 50 unit apartment complex. More than 170 people have been hospitalized with multiple fatalities at the scene.

The Salvation Army is providing refreshment and emotional and spiritual care to survivors and first responders at several locations in and around West. Disaster Canteens (mobile kitchens) from Waco, Corsicana, Waxahachie, Fort Worth and Williamson County are all serving at the scene. Major Dan Ford, Commanding Officer of the Waco Salvation Army, is the Incident Commander coordinating The Salvation Army response with city and state emergency personnel.

The temperature has dropped dramatically overnight with heavy rain moving into the area. The Salvation Army has 50 cases of rain suits, jackets and blankets to distribute. This morning The Salvation Army is preparing to serve breakfast to 500 people and as the situation develops will remain ready to serve as long as needed.

The most effective way to support The Salvation Army response in West, Texas, is by making a financial contribution:
• MAIL – please send checks to The Salvation Army, PO Box 36607, Dallas,    TX 75235
• PHONE at 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• ONLINE at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/texas/westexplosion

For more information about The Salvation Army’s disaster response effort, please go to www.Facebook.com/SalvationArmyTexas, www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or www.salvationarmytexas.org.

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.