BBC Learning English
Words in the News
Texas blast investigation
19 April 2013
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The authorities in the town of West in Texas are continuing to investigate what caused
the blast at a fertiliser factory, which is now known to have killed 14 people and injured
dozens more. The area surrounding the plant is still sealed off by police. BBC
correspondent Alastair Leithead reports from West, near Waco:
With the search and rescue operation now winding down, the authorities in West
are focussing on ensuring there are no hazardous chemicals remaining on the site,
which could be a threat to the public.
They are also trying to establish exactly what caused the fire and the explosion that
followed it. There is little left of the factory or dozens of houses that bore the brunt of
the blast.
Police are expected to start allowing residents back into the restricted area in the next
24 hours so people can see what's left of their homes and possessions.
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
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bbclearningenglish.com
Vocabulary and definitions
search and rescue operation procedure to find and save people from a disaster
winding down slowly stopping
ensuring making sure
hazardous chemicals dangerous materials
threat possible or likely danger
to establish to find and prove
dozens groups of 12 (used here to mean lots)
bore the brunt felt the most force
blast explosion
restricted limited
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/04/130419_witn_texas_explosion.shtml
Related story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22204391
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com