Dispatch tapes reveal harrowing moments after Texas explosion

In the moments after an explosion tore through a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, dispatchers pleaded for help for downed firefighters, summoning assistance from nearby agencies and directing fire trucks, haz-mat units and other responders to scenes of destruction throughout the town.

“Y’all have anybody available, I am requesting you. They have firefighters down,� says a woman early on. “Firefighters down. Again, there has been an explosion, there are firefighters down.�

A responder calls from a home for senior citizens, describing it as “institutionally damaged.�

“We have many people down,� he said. “Police, please respond.�

“I’m getting you everybody I can,� a woman dispatcher responds. “You have deputies, you have Bellmead fire, you have EMS. I’m sending everybody I got.�

PHOTOS: Fertilizer plant explosion in Texas

Agencies from throughout the area responded to the calls, sending fire trucks and ambulances, a bomb disposal unit and more. They were directed to the plant, a triage area, a burning middle school, an apartment building where people were stuck inside.

“All units report to the station immediately,� a man says. “All Downsville units report to the station immediately.�

Then, suddenly, units were warned to back off the site amid fears of another explosion.

“Everybody needs to get away from there. Back all trucks away from the power plant,� a man said. “… All units on scene, they need to load up and get out of there now…. Lot of [inaudible] tanks filled over here and they’re full.�

As of Thursday morning, authorities report that the explosion had killed as many as 15 people, and injured more than 160. Several firefighters were among the missing.

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