Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Thursday declared a disaster area and said he planned to request federal funds in response to an explosion at a fertilizer plant in Waco that may have killed as many as 15 people.

At a press conference, the governor thanked President Barack Obama for calling for offer quick action after Wednesday night’s explosion.

“Last night was truly a nighmare scenario for that community,” Perry said. “President Obama called from Air Force One as he was en route to Boston… We greatly appreciate his call, and his gracious offer of support, of course, and the quick turnaround of the emergency declaration that will be forthcoming, and his offer of prayers.”

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As a Republican candidate for president in 2012, the Texas governor often railed against federal spending.

“Washington’s insatiable desire to spend our children’s inheritance on failed stimulus plans and other misguided economic theories have given us record debt and left us with far too many unemployed,” he said at an event to kickoff his campaign last year.

Watch the video below from CNN, broadcast April 18, 2013.