West Explosion Caused By Intentionally Set Fire, ATF Says

The April 17, 2013 West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion that killed 15 people, destroyed more than 500 homes and left a crater 93 feet wide and 12 feet deep was caused by a fire that was intentionally set, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Wednesday. "We have...

By Stephen Young

May 11, 2016

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The 2013 fertilizer plant explosion in West that killed 15 people, destroyed more than 500 homes and left a crater 93 feet wide and 12 feet deep was caused by a fire that was intentionally set, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Wednesday.

"We have eliminated all reasonable accidental and natural causes," Rob Elder, the special agent in charge of the ATF's Houston field division, said at a press conference held in the small Central Texas town Wednesday.

The ATF determined some months ago that the blaze was criminally set but has held information back in order to protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation. Elder said the information was being released now to help catch the person or persons responsible for the deaths and destruction.

"We are headed in the right direction, and we are asking the public for help," he said.

The ATF is offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest, but Elder did not comment on what charges anyone accused of setting the fire might face, refusing to speculate as to any potential murder charges.

Elder also said his agency only investigated whether or not the fire was intentionally set and had no opinion as to whether the way in which fertilizer was stored at the plant might have affected the blast.

Anyone with any information regarding the blast is asked to call Waco Crime Stoppers at 254-753-4357.

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