In a startling development, federal investigators have determined that the deadly and destructive 2013 fertilizer plant blast in West, Texas was no accident.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has ruled that the fire at the West Fertilizer Co. was “incendiary” or intentionally set. The ATF’s lengthy investigation into the incident, which killed 15 people and destroyed dozens of buildings, included more than 400 interviews, a thorough fire-scene examination, the review of witness photos, videos and observation and extensive scientific testing at the ATF Fire Research Lab in Beltsville, Maryland.