CALGARY – Flags at fire stations throughout the city will be lowered on Thursday, in tribute to fallen first-responders who lost their lives in a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.
The thunderous explosion on April 17th leveled the plant, shaking the ground and crumpling dozens of homes.
At least 12 people were killed, including a small group of firefighters and first-responders who rushed toward the plant to battle the pre-explosion blaze.
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The Calgary Fire Department says although it’s not standard to lower flags to half-staff for every line of duty death, they wish to express their solidarity and support for their counterparts in Texas in this time of grief.
“First-responders play a critical role in ensuring the safety of citizens,” says Acting Fire Chief Tom Sampson in a news release. “Although life-threatening situations are a potential part of our daily lives, we can never prepare ourselves fully for the experience of losing colleagues in the line of duty. As an organization and as individuals, the Calgary Fire Department expresses our admiration, gratitude and respect for those first-responders who gave their lives in service.”
As many as 200 people were injured in the incident.
West is located about 20 miles north of Waco, Texas.
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