On Wednesday evening, a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, a community outside of the city of Waco.

Between 50 and 75 houses near the plant were completely destroyed when the tremendous blast occurred.

Firefighters were battling a blaze at the plant owned by Adair Grain, Inc, when apparently, 24 minutes later, a railroad tanker containing anhydrous ammonia exploded with tremendous force sending out a shockwave that could be felt 45 miles away. Three to five of the firefighters battling the blaze are still among the missing. Two paramedics were also counted among the fatalities.

Up to fifteen people are dead or missing, another 160 people were injured. That number is expected to rise today as rescuers work through the debris. Four blocks of homes and other buildings were flattened in the explosion.

The West Middle School sits directly next to the fertilizer plant. If the blast occurred during school hours, it is beleived that the casualty toll would have been much higher.

President Obama released a statement while enroute to the memorial service in Boston. In it he said, “Today our prayers go out to the people of West, Texas in the aftermath of last night’s deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant. A tight-knit community has been shaken, and good, hard-working people have lost their lives.

I want to thank the first responders who worked tirelessly through the night to contain the situation and treat the wounded. My Administration, through FEMA and other agencies, is in close contact with our state and local partners on the ground to make sure there are no unmet needs as search and rescue and response operations continue.

West is a town that many Texans hold near and dear to their hearts, and as residents continue to respond to this tragedy, they will have the support of the American people.”