Some residents push to get back to their homes after Texas blast

After days of waiting, the first group of residents who fled their homes when a fertilizer plant exploded in a blinding fireball will be allowed to go home, a town official said Saturday.

The news came after a nervous day where officials told residents packed in a hotel waiting for updates about their neighborhood that leaking gas tanks were causing small fires near the blast site, keeping authorities from lifting blockades. But officials emphasized that the fires were contained, and said the town was safe.

"It is safe, safe and safe," City Council member Steve Vanek said emphatically at a midday news conference.

He said that a group of residents in a small area would be let back in later Saturday afternoon, but gave no indication about when all evacuated residents could return. Those being let back in would be subject to an evening curfew, and were warned to stay in their homes.

Authorities prepared for the limited re-entry by using a crane to lay concrete pylons across the entrance to side streets. Residents with homes inside the zone were told to assemble at a designated location and show identification. Cars permitted in the area would be tagged.

Evacuated residents have waited anxiously to return and assess what remains to roughly 80 damaged homes after the blast Wednesday night at West Fertilizer Co. that killed 14 and injured 200 more.

Many are hoping to find key documents such as insurance papers and family records to help with recovery. Others simply hope to reclaim any belongings that might be buried under splintered homes.