Volunteer firefighters died saving others

Residents near Texas plant explosion allowed to return home
By Tom Watkins
CNN
updated 4:17 PM EDT, Sat April 20, 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
West, Texas, "is safe for our citizens," Mayor Pro Tem Steve Vanek says
Residents can return home but will have limited utilities and a curfew, he says
Town of West -- population 2,800 -- grapples with loss; death toll remains at 14

(CNN) -- Days after a fertilizer plant explosion killed 14 people and leveled parts of a central Texas town, officials moved Saturday to help get residents back to their homes.

"I want to dispel any rumors of any health or safety hazards or threats at this time in the city of West," Mayor Pro Tem Steve Vanek told reporters without specifying what those rumors may have been. "It is safe, it is safe, it is safe for our citizens."

Arrangements were being made for insurance adjusters to gain access to the stricken areas, he said.

The dead included the secretary, who was also a member of the volunteer fire department, said Mayor Tommy Muska.

In total, five West firefighters died battling the blaze, along with one Dallas firefighter and four emergency responders, the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas said Thursday.
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