Texas Plant Had No Sprinklers, Fire Walls

Authorities are coming to grips with the extent of the devastation following a Wednesday night explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant. About 200 people were injured and 12 bodies have been recovered so far, the AP reports. That's far fewer than the nearly 40 victims Mayor Tommy Muska had earlier estimated, the Dallas Morning News notes, but the Waco Tribune-Herald says a few more dead are expected. Among the victims are believed to be at least 10 first responders, the mayor tells USA Today, including firefighters and EMS workers who were battling a fire at the plant when the explosion occurred.

Meanwhile, some 50 to 75 buildings were ruined or suffered severe damage. As to what caused the explosion, it could be six months before we know for sure, the Wall Street Journal notes—though nothing has suggested it wasn't simply an accident. The company didn't have sprinklers, blast walls, or fire walls installed because it wasn't dealing with flammable materials, it said in a 2011 federal filing, per the AP. It was fined $10,000 for safety violations last year, though the sum was lowered to $5,250. (More West, Texas stories.)