Roaring Through the Texan Plains

While the nations attention is turned towards the horrific act of terrorism in Boston recently, one story closer to home has been overlooked. I speak of the West Texas plant explosion which is now said to have claimed the lives of 12 brave people, mostly first responders. The incident occurred at a fertilizer plant which stores and distributes anhydrous ammonia, a fertilizer that can be injected directly into the soil, which is also flammable. The explosion was large enough to register as a small earthquake, leveling everything around it, including an apartment complex and part of a school. Due to the companies lack of meeting safety requirements by installing systems and blast walls, the explosion was worse than it should have it. U.S Pipeline and Har sprinkler Hazardous safety administration fined the company $10,000 last year for violations of safety requirements, the company says to have corrected the safety requirements, but evidently from the blast early this week, it did not. Back to Back tragedy's have been happening this month, one can only hope the american people can catch a break and be given a reason to smile again.