I was living in Bellingham above Barkley Village in the Tanglewood Lane cul-de-sac. Even though our house was approximately two miles from the explosion, it seemed like it was right across the street.

We rushed out on our deck and neighbors were all outside, too. There was much nervous confusion and fearful speculation, but no one could even guess at the cause of the explosion and huge black clouds rising like an "atomic bomb cloud."

Finally, someone brought a radio outside and we learned to our dismay what had happened.

Reach DEAN KAHN at dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2291.