Still No Arrest 5 Years After Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion

As of April 17, the fifth anniversary of the fertilizer plant explosion that claimed 15 lives in the town of West, Texas, no one had been arrested and charged with setting the fire that led to the blast, the Insurance Council of Texas reported.

Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) determined the fire was intentionally set in the seed storage room of the West Fertilizer Plant. The fire spread to another storage site containing 30 tons of ammonium nitrate which exploded, killing 10 fire fighters, two first responders and three civilians. More than 200 residents were injured.

Nearby homes, an apartment complex, a nursing home, two schools and vehicles were destroyed. Debris from the explosion was found a half mile away. Insured losses totaled $100 million, but the Associated Press has reported that the facility carried only $1 million in liability coverage from United States Fire Insurance Co. of Morristown, N.J.

Following the explosion, Adair Grain Inc., which owned the facility, was cited for “serious safety violations” by OSHA for exposing workers to explosion or fire hazards and for its unsafe handling and storage of ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia.

The company also was hit with numerous lawsuits, some of which have been settled, including one brought by the town of West.

Reward Offered

A Texas Advisory Council on Arson (ATAC) is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone whose phone call leads to the arrest of the person or persons involved with starting the fire.

The Texas Arson Hotline is answered seven days a week, 24-hours a day and every caller remains anonymous. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-4 FIRE 45 (1-800-434-7345). Other awards have been offered by ATF and McClennan County.