OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – For Albert and Cindy Ashwood, the current collapse of a part of a constructing in Surfside, Fla., is hauntingly acquainted.
Albert Ashwood was the pinnacle of restoration for the Oklahoma Division of Emergency Administration when the Oklahoma Metropolis Bombing occurred.
Timothy McVeigh parked a truck in entrance of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Constructing in downtown Oklahoma Metropolis on the morning of April 19, 1995. The truck was loaded with a bomb made from agricultural fertilizer, diesel gasoline and different chemical compounds.
The bomb exploded at 9:02 a.m., ripping by the Murrah Constructing, killing 168 individuals, together with 19 youngsters, and injuring a number of hundred others.
Twenty-six years later, a tragedy that evokes heartbreaking recollections of that dreadful day.
A part of a 12-story constructing in Surfside, Fla., situated close to Miami, collapsed on Thursday. The constructing contained 136 models; 55 of them fell. 4 individuals have been confirmed lifeless and 159 persons are nonetheless unaccounted for.
Group members have remained within the devastated space, holding up printed photographs and photographs on their telephones of their lacking family members.
The Ashwoods can not assist however keep in mind Oklahoma Metropolis’s large tragedy when seeing pictures of the Surfside constructing and its particles.
“I believe wanting on the tragedy in Miami, the collapse of the constructing, or components of the constructing, convey again loads of recollections of the scenes that we noticed in April of ‘95 – the grey ash, the individuals desirous to know the place their family members are, the search and rescue people who’re digging in particles – it’s arduous to not convey again these recollections,” Albert mentioned on Friday.
“Once I obtained residence from work yesterday and noticed the tv protection…it instantly appeared just like the entrance of the Murrah constructing. I didn’t even know but what had occurred,” Cindy mentioned.
Each Cindy and Albert remarked on the devastating circumstances of the constructing collapse in Florida. The precise explanation for the collapse shouldn’t be but recognized.
“No matter what prompted it, it’s the truth that [it was similar] to what occurred on April 19. These individuals had been asleep, however individuals had been simply doing what they usually did when this occurred. It was very surprising to see,” Cindy mentioned.
Albert spoke concerning the ache that many Floridians are feeling.
“I can think about what the households are going by, looking for their family members, ensuring that those that are misplaced and lacking are situated,” he mentioned. “That is only a devastating state of affairs and we don’t know what the reason for it was, however that’s irrelevant proper now. Proper now we have to ensure that we assist out these households which are hurting so terribly.”
Albert additionally spoke about Miami-Dade County’s emergency employees, honoring their ongoing efforts in Surfside and reflecting upon their very important presence in Oklahoma Metropolis following the 1995 bombing.
“They had been those who got here to assist us throughout our time of want. I wish to ensure that Oklahoma and all of the sources of Oklahoma are there to assist them as properly,” Albert mentioned. “[They] did such an impressive job right here in Oklahoma together with the groups from throughout the US that labored this occasion. And I’m positive that Oklahoma Metropolis Hearth Division, Oklahoma Metropolis Police, EMSA, myself and other people like myself are simply pondering of them presently and ensuring that we are able to do something to assist them out presumably.”
