My hats off to city officials for holding this meeting, and answering questions from the public. Unlike refinery officials who just cancelled a meeting originally set for this Thursday (so they can hide behind closed doors), city officials added the refinery explosion onto the agenda of a special meeting that was originally set merely to canvass the results of last week's election. Instead of a 15 minute meeting, the coucil met for two and a half hours to try to disseminate information and calm people's fears. Refinery officals would do well to follow the City's example.

Dont blame the refinery for the city allowing the building too close to it.

This is a good time for all city officials in Utah to get some real advice about blast zone barriers, the military. They have been storing explosives for generations and have some well documented safety standards that cities should adopt and enact. Why the fire codes haven't adopted blast zone standards is a mystery too. Perhaps they were removed at the insistence of city managers and developers. Cities have developed a bad habit of ignoring the public to approve development in known hazard zones all over the state, especially in the northern half. Then use ignorance as an excuse for criminal endangerment.

The cities are falling back on ignorance and this is not acceptable. Even home owner insurance companies have recognized the type and kind of hazards zones these residential homes are in and won't insure them. That's a red flag in my book.

Anyone with the opportunity to sell their homes should take the offer. There is no blast barrier big enough or strong enough to withstand the potential that is stored there. If as one resident says they value neighbors more than their life, then let their own stupidity be their epitaph.

I have to agree with Tom. The city zoning regualtions are at fault. Compare it to buying a house with a river front. Don't come crying to me when there is a flood, you should have bought a house on the hill.

If you buy or rent a house next to a refinery, chemical plant or any industrial facility handling flammable and explosive materials it is only a matter of time before something goes wrong.

This is clearly largely the city's fault. Woods Cross City could have easily prevented this situation from happening by refusing developer's proposals to build houses next to a large industrial facility. What were they thinking?

As for the refinery folks supposedly "hiding behind closed doors" as Hats Off claims, he/she obviously hasn't seen them in the neighborhood every day helping to put people's live back together. Give 'em a break. They're as devastated by this as the residents who are affected.

It is interesting that blame is given to the City and the "City should have known". The area was zoned residential in the 1980's. Where was public involvement then? Yes this is an extra ordinary event and requires immediate attention from the City, as they are trying to do but they need the resources of the State and Federal agencies. A small City doesn't have the resources to deal with this complex issue. I would encourage more people to get involved and informed rather that sitting back and being an arm chair quarter back on this issue. When was the last time you attended a city council meeting, voted and became involved in community organizations? Involvement brings knowledge.