Fertilizer Makers Place Blame on City in West, Texas, Explosion

Two fertilizer companies that sued following a deadly Texas explosion have cited the Texas State Fire Marshal’s report on the West, Texas, explosion in an effort to place blame on the city for failing to properly train volunteer firefighters and first responders, who made up most of the 15 people killed by the blast.

El Dorado Chemical Co. and CF Industries argued in a state district court in Waco in July that the city of West had insufficient protocols in place to battle the April 2013 blaze at West Fertilizer Co. that triggered the explosion.

The fertilizer suppliers are seeking to have the city designated as a “responsible third party” in lawsuits filed against the companies.

The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office concluded that members of the West Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene that day unprepared for the dangers.

A motion from El Dorado also alleges that the city should be named as a responsible third party because it failed to protect its citizens by allowing, through its zoning authority, schools and a nursing home to operate in a close proximity to the plant.

Waco attorney Steve Harrison, who represents the city of West in the lawsuit, as well as many of those killed or injured in the blast, said it is common in lawsuits for defendants to blame everyone but themselves.

“Some things really just don’t need any comment,” Harrison said.