The explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant left as many as 40 people dead, West, Texas Mayor Tommy Muska said Thursday.
Previous estimates suggested that the spectacular Wednesday night explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. in West, Texas killed as many as 15 people. Muska, who doubles as a volunteer firefighter, was en route to put out the initial fire, according to the Wall Street Journal. He said the death toll could include as many as 10 emergency workers.
But Jason Reyes, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said at a Thursday afternoon press conference that he could not confirm the number of fatalities.
