Residents who live closest to the plant returned home for the first time Saturday since the April 17 explosion that killed 15 people and injured 200.
Throughout the day, residents streamed into zone three to search and salvage belongings scattered among the piles of debris.
On the edge of zone three, family and friends of the Webre's rallied a search party for Bentley, a Maltese who vanished in the explosion's aftermath.
"Well he's always in the living in his little bed and all the windows got blown off so we assume he got out somewhere," Stacy Webre, the dog’s owner said.
Webre’s house is marked with neon orange, deeming it uninhabitable. The color is all too familiar for those in zone three because the city says that 70 houses in the zone will have to be demolished.
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As residents spent the day assessing damage, first responders were recognized for their efforts.
Fire departments from the neighboring cities of Bellmead and Woodway unfurled an American flag for a procession that honored law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders.
Buck Uptmor, a volunteer firefighter and father of three, was laid to rest Saturday.
"We have all came together to show what we can do for this community for one and also to show our respects for our fallen brothers," William Hlavenka Jr. Bellmead’s fire chief said.
