Officials now know what exploded at Texas fertilizer plant – but not why
Ammonium nitrate named as substance that blew up
Sources say an investigation into the fatal April 17 blast at a West, Texas fertilizer plant has already yielded some information, though it’s expected to continue beyond this week.
The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office has identified ammonium nitrate – a relatively inexpensive fertilizer with a high nitrogen content – as the substance that caused the explosion, killing 14 people and injuring approximately 200 more. Dozens of buildings near the site were destroyed or damaged.