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U.S. town of West buries 1st firefighter killed in fertilizer plant explosion

(Xinhua)

10:02, April 25, 2013

HOUSTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. town of West held a funeral Wednesday for one of the first responders killed in a fertilizer plant explosion a week ago.

Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter Kenny Harris Jr., 52, who lived with his family in West, was killed while battling a fire at the West Fertilizer Co. last Wednesday.

Before the explosion, Harris rushed to the scene to offer assistance to the West Volunteer Fire Department in putting out the fire.

A total of 10 firefighters were killed in the blast, said media reports.

Harris's funeral was held in West at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. He will be laid to rest at a local cemetery, according to a NBC report.

The powerful explosion occurred around 7:50 p.m. local time last Wednesday at the fertilizer plant in West, a small town about 320 km north of Houston.

The blast killed at least 14 people and injured about 200 others.

A memorial is planned for Thursday, which U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are expected to attend.


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