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And we have our fire units on there, and fire engines and bulldozers and the like, and it is burning 1 1/2 miles from the kennedy center press site, and the winds are blowing out of the south and blowing the smoke in that direction. there are no immediate threat to the facilities or the shuttle launch at this point. >> can you describe what you are seeing there, and is it getting larger and who is fighting this? >> the firefighters are employees of the u.s. fish and wildlife service stationed here at the merrit wildlife national refu refuge. this service manages all of the portions of the kenn...

From either substances, getting into the atmosphere or a possible subsequent explosion. so that is not what we're dealing with. currently urban search and rescue teams are on the premises. onsite with dogs. attempting to locate or account for further victims. we know that 12 individuals have been injured. five individuals known to have lost their lives. at this point we can't release any names. families of victims have not all been notified. approximately 5 to 7 fire units remain on the scene. it was a gas explosion. terrorism has been ruled out.

The road systems here in south texas. >> ed, thank you so much. appreciate that from san antonio. with me now, san antonio fire chief charles hood on the phone with me. chief, you know, describe what was seen, best of your understanding when the doors of that tractor trailer were opened upon discovering there were people inside? >> this was absolutely a tragic situation. we had the fire units respond with san antonio pd for a welfare check at the walmart. units arrived found the tractor with folks in the back. very hot, being in an oven if you can imagine. the tractor trailer had no air condit...

>> step back, step back. >> reporter: firefighters dousing that car, trying to put out the flames. >> we did get a very quick response from police officers on the scene, from fire units, people were treated and transported as quickly as possible. >> reporter: first responders scrambling to help the nearly two dozen injured. ambulances taking them to nearby hospitals. 18-year-old alyssa ellsman visiting from michigan was hit. she did not survive. right there, you can see the destroyed bumper. the car's just a block away here on times square, one of the busiest spots in the country now completel...

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