Texas fertilizer plant owner, a Church of Christ elder, says his heart’s ‘broken with grief’

Donald Adair, a Church of Christ elder and owner of the West, Texas, fertilizer facility that caught fire and exploded Wednesday night, says his heart is “broken with grief for the tragic losses to so many families in our community.”
“My family and I can’t express enough our deep appreciation for the loving service and selfless sacrifice from within and around our community responding to the urgent needs of those affected,” Adair said in a statement issued Friday. “I am proud to be associated with West Church of Christ, which has opened its doors to the State of Texas to provide grief counseling services. My family and I will continue to assist in relief efforts through our church family.”

This has been a terrible week for everyone in West, Texas, and I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt sympathy for those affected and my appreciation for those who responded.
As a lifelong resident, my heart is broken with grief for the tragic losses to so many families in our community. I know that everyone has been deeply affected by this incident. Loved ones have been injured or killed. Homes have been damaged or destroyed. Our hearts go out to everyone who has suffered.
The selfless sacrifice of first responders who died trying to protect all of us is something I will never get over. I was devastated to learn that we lost one of our employees in the explosion. He bravely responded to the fire at the facility as a volunteer firefighter. I will never forget his bravery and his sacrifice, or that of his colleagues who rushed to the trouble.
This tragedy will continue to hurt deeply for generations to come.
My family and I can’t express enough our deep appreciation for the loving service and selfless sacrifice from within and around our community responding to the urgent needs of those affected. I am proud to be associated with West Church of Christ, which has opened its doors to the State of Texas to provide grief counseling services. My family and I will continue to assist in relief efforts through our church family.
The genuine kindness we have witnessed will be the hallmark for all of our children’s children.
Going forward, the owners and employees of Adair Grain and West Fertilizer Co. are working closely with investigating agencies. We are presenting all employees for interviews and will assist in the fact finding to whatever degree possible. We pledge to do everything we can to understand what happened to ensure nothing like this ever happens again in any community.
While the investigation continues, and out of respect for the investigative process, we will limit our comments during the weeks and months ahead.

AP reported Thursday that the company “had been cited by regulators for what appeared to be minor safety and permitting violations over the past decade.”
See The Christian Chronicle’s previous coverage of the Texas disaster, which caused heavy damage to the homes of the West Church of Christ’s preacher and some other members.

• Feedback
  The Disaster Assistance Mission will be arriving in West TX on Sunday. We will be setting up at the West Church of Christ and helping them with Outreach, Meal Prep and delivery, Volunteer coordination, Cleanup and Repairs and other Food and Supply distribution.

  Disaster Assistance Mission

  April, 20 2013

  God will be with these good people, and faith and trust in Him is so evident in this small town. to my brothers and sisters in the Lord at
  West coc…blessings to you, and prayers for ya’ll..our hearts in Grand Prairie, at Freetown Rd coc, are with you…

  mary anne breazeale

  April, 20 2013

  This is a note from the West Bell Church of Christ in Sun City West, AZ (west of Phoenix). We want to be of service to you during this trying time, and will be asking our members here at West Bell Church of Christ to make contributions to send your way.
  We will also place information in our local papers about your disaster for contributions to be sent to our church and we will forward to your congregation.
  You remain in our prayers here in Arizona.
  In Christ,
  John Waddey, Minister
  West Bell Church of Christ
  12380 West Beardsley Road
  Sun City West, AZ 85375
  623/214 3715
  623/451 9936 Cell

  John Waddey

  April, 20 2013

  To a shepherd from a shepherd;
  From out of tragedy will come victory, from out of pain will come growth and through it all God will be glorified.The Church there will grow stronger in faith and love and the lost wheather in West or across the Globe that are seeking out God will find a realtionship with him all because of the suffering that you and others are experancing right now. May the peace of God that came to us through the work of our LORD and master calm your soul as the pain of saddness works on your heart.
  Your brother in Christ
  Terry Smith
  Slave of Jesus
  Because the tomb is still empty!!!!

  Terry

  April, 20 2013

  I went to the West church of Christ the whole time I lived in West. I relocated to the dfw area in 94. My heart and prayers go out to all the families who were affected by the explosion. I wish I could have been there this morning for Sunday services there. My heart is in West right now, my prayers are with my church family there and the entire little town, with biggest hearts. God bless. I love and miss y’all and I’ll be there to help where yall need me next weekend.

  Cindy Dill

  April, 21 2013

  We are praying for all of you. We know that God Has a great plan why this happened. God Bless You.

  Tide Waterusa

  April, 24 2013

  Dear all .
  Cheer up my dear elders and members.
  Our God is a great provider and protector. So fear not
  we will build His church with His own children and many more will witness the great deed.
  May God bless u all
  Bro.Ravindranath.

  Bro.Ravindranath

  June, 17 2013