General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Look at West, Texas on Google Maps [View all]wercal
(1,370 posts)....and the town grew in a somewhat linear direction, probably because of how the interstate constrains growth in all directions.
Looking from above, the plant doesn't look that big...I certainly would never have known an explosion like that could happen, and I bet alot of other people didn't either.
Another way to look at this - its not that people foolishly built (on their own property) close to the plant...the problem is that the plant posed a danger that extended beyond its own boundaries. In my experience, the regulation of these types of danger is done at the state level (Dept of Health and Environment) - but mandated by the federal government. So, somebody dropped the ball, or the plant owners were not truthfull in their disclosures about the danger, blast radius, etc. I imagine this plant pre-dates alot of regulation, and some things slipped through the cracks.
One thing I'm fairly sure of - insurance companies that cover these plants are going to do a review of what type of risk they are taking on, based on this.
One thing I always worry about in these small towns - train derailment. There is a small town near me, where the train derailed just outside of town. Based on the footprint of destruction, it certainly would have destroyed alot of houses, if it had happened in town. I see a similar issue in this town.