EXPLOSION IN TEXAS

[username]

Texas law enforcement officials on Friday launched a criminal investigation into the massive fertilizer plant explosion that killed 14 people last month, after weeks of largely treating the blast as an industrial accident.

The announcement came the same day that a paramedic who helped to evacuate residents the night of the explosion was arrested on a charge of possessing a destructive device, though it is not clear whether the charge is related to the April 17 blast at West Fertilizer Co.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/texas...Y1HerWyBqU

[HairOfTheDog]

The fire marshal's office has been leading the investigation, along with the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency.[/i][/b]

Hmmmm.
No OSHA.
Odd.

It's was weird to me when the "cause" of the explosion was reported as ammonium nitrate by the Texas State Fire Marshall's Office. Well, okay. That was the explosive agent, but what caused the actual explosion/fire? They didn't know, supposedly.

Early in the investigation it was revealed that the fertilizer plant owner had neglected required safety inspections and was being sued by multiple insurance companies.

Bet my bottom dollar the insurance company investigators are (officially or otherwise) all over this investigation right about now.

If this explosion was caused intentionally, whether the deaths and injuries were foreseen or not, it's all gonna come out soon enough (before the civil suits really progress, imo).

...a paramedic who helped to evacuate residents the night of the explosion was arrested on a charge of possessing a destructive device, though it is not clear whether the charge is related to the April 17 blast at West Fertilizer Co.[/color]

I don't have an opinion yet as to whether Reed had anything to do with the explosion, but he wouldn't be the first emergency responder responsible for creating an emergency and positioning himself as a hero or victim of it. Time will tell.

At this time, locals and family members of deceased victims are questioning his sincerity and insinuating that he profited from donations (which he denies).

Latest here:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/natio...n/2150461/

[Cynical Ninja]

Oh dear insurance job? really!

Oh christ hope not! I hope there wasnt any odds calculated over this terrible tragedy. They showed mobile phone video footage of the actual explosion here on the news it was catastrophic! My god terrible.

[HairOfTheDog]

UPDATE

Snipped:

State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy said investigators were unable to rule out three possible causes, including a spark from a golf cart, an electrical short or an intentionally set fire. "The cause cannot be proven to an acceptable level," Connealy told reporters.

In 2012, the Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration fined West Fertilizer $5,250 for storing anhydrous ammonia in tanks that lacked the proper warning labels. The agency originally recommended a $10,000 penalty, but it was reduced after the company took corrective action.

In 2006, the EPA fined it $2,300 and told the owners to correct problems that included a failure to file a risk management program plan on time. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also investigated a complaint about the lingering smell of ammonia around the plant the same year.
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The criminal investigation continues and authorities are not disclosing whether the arrest of the first responder is connected to the explosion investigation.

Curious to see what happens with the lawsuits pending against the fertilizer company by those who lost their homes and loved ones if the fire that caused the explosion is ultimately determined to have been intentional. Will that take the fertilizer company off the hook (assuming the fire starter was not connected to the plant), or will the civil attorneys still attempt to use the previous safety-related fines to pursue the fertilizer company anyway?

Meanwhile, town officials and residents are struggling to rebuild, even with financial aid from various agencies. FEMA estimates the cost at $100 million, for a city with only $700,000 in reserves.

Refs:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/16/us/texas-e...index.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/us/aft....html?_r=0

[ZEROSPHERES]

The winner of the 600MIL powerball could donate enough money to rebuild the entire town and not even feel it.