This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/15/west-texas-fire-investigators

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Texas fire investigators to release findings on West blast that killed 14 Texas fire investigators to release findings on West blast that killed 14
(6 days later)
When they saw 30ft flames licking the sky inside a massive fertilizer plant, firefighters in the tiny Texas town of West rushed to evacuate nearby buildings and raced to spray water on tanks of chemicals, hoping to prevent a catastrophe.When they saw 30ft flames licking the sky inside a massive fertilizer plant, firefighters in the tiny Texas town of West rushed to evacuate nearby buildings and raced to spray water on tanks of chemicals, hoping to prevent a catastrophe.
They were concerned with preventing toxic gas from leaking out of the facility and drifting into nearby homes. The plant soon exploded into a deadly fireball and lay waste to much of the community.They were concerned with preventing toxic gas from leaking out of the facility and drifting into nearby homes. The plant soon exploded into a deadly fireball and lay waste to much of the community.
Four weeks after the blinding blast, investigators have yet to announce not only what started the fire and touched off the explosion, but precisely what happened in those frenzied moments before 14 people were killed.Four weeks after the blinding blast, investigators have yet to announce not only what started the fire and touched off the explosion, but precisely what happened in those frenzied moments before 14 people were killed.
They are especially interested in the town's volunteer fire crews, who may not have been fully aware of the dangers they faced. Did they know about the potential for an explosion? Were they trained to prevent one? Should they have acted differently?They are especially interested in the town's volunteer fire crews, who may not have been fully aware of the dangers they faced. Did they know about the potential for an explosion? Were they trained to prevent one? Should they have acted differently?
"We do not know," said Daniel Horowitz, managing director of the US Chemical Safety Board, one of the federal agencies involved in the investigation. "With interviews still under way, it's difficult to say at this point what was the level of knowledge and what did they know about suppression techniques.""We do not know," said Daniel Horowitz, managing director of the US Chemical Safety Board, one of the federal agencies involved in the investigation. "With interviews still under way, it's difficult to say at this point what was the level of knowledge and what did they know about suppression techniques."
Associated Press interviews with first-responders suggest that firefighters' foremost fear was a poisonous cloud of anhydrous ammonia. But the greater threat turned out to be the plant's vast stockpile of a common fertilizer, ammonium nitrate, which can also serve as a cheap alternative to dynamite.Associated Press interviews with first-responders suggest that firefighters' foremost fear was a poisonous cloud of anhydrous ammonia. But the greater threat turned out to be the plant's vast stockpile of a common fertilizer, ammonium nitrate, which can also serve as a cheap alternative to dynamite.
State and federal agents plan to release some of their findings Thursday after spending the last month investigating whether the blast was an industrial accident or a criminal act.State and federal agents plan to release some of their findings Thursday after spending the last month investigating whether the blast was an industrial accident or a criminal act.
Last week, the Texas Rangers and county sheriff's office launched their own criminal investigation, the same day a paramedic who helped evacuate residents was arrested on a charge of possessing a destructive device. It was not clear whether the charge was related to the April 17 blast.Last week, the Texas Rangers and county sheriff's office launched their own criminal investigation, the same day a paramedic who helped evacuate residents was arrested on a charge of possessing a destructive device. It was not clear whether the charge was related to the April 17 blast.
West mayor Tommy Muska said he did not know how much the firefighters knew about the chemicals on the property, but the fire crew included a manager from the fertilizer plant.West mayor Tommy Muska said he did not know how much the firefighters knew about the chemicals on the property, but the fire crew included a manager from the fertilizer plant.
Cody Dragoo "would have known exactly what was in there and the dangers that were there," the mayor said, explaining why he believes firefighters were backing away from the flames at the West Fertilizer Co.Cody Dragoo "would have known exactly what was in there and the dangers that were there," the mayor said, explaining why he believes firefighters were backing away from the flames at the West Fertilizer Co.
They did not get away fast enough. The plant blew up within 20 minutes of the first call for help. Dragoo was among 10 firefighters and paramedics killed in the blast. Two residents helping to fight the fire were also killed, along with two other people.They did not get away fast enough. The plant blew up within 20 minutes of the first call for help. Dragoo was among 10 firefighters and paramedics killed in the blast. Two residents helping to fight the fire were also killed, along with two other people.
The confusion only got worse. When the McLennan County emergency director arrived on the scene, he was unfamiliar with the hazardous materials on the premises. The primary map used by first-responders was from a Google Earth app on an iPad. They had no public address system, and, at least initially, no clear command structure.The confusion only got worse. When the McLennan County emergency director arrived on the scene, he was unfamiliar with the hazardous materials on the premises. The primary map used by first-responders was from a Google Earth app on an iPad. They had no public address system, and, at least initially, no clear command structure.
But it's unclear whether simply knowing about the ammonium nitrate would have been enough. The National Fire Safety Association has codes on handling ammonium nitrate, but it does not advise how to fight such fires because circumstances vary, said Guy Colonna, the division manager of the industrial and chemical engineering group.But it's unclear whether simply knowing about the ammonium nitrate would have been enough. The National Fire Safety Association has codes on handling ammonium nitrate, but it does not advise how to fight such fires because circumstances vary, said Guy Colonna, the division manager of the industrial and chemical engineering group.
Texas farm country is dotted with fertilizer plants in towns served by volunteer firefighters. But a 2009 blaze at the El Dorado Chemical Company in Bryan, Texas, unfolded much differently than the disaster in West. Bryan firefighters knew a welder had accidentally heated up an ammonium nitrate bin and the chemical was smoldering. They evacuated the area, and let the facility burn to the ground. Nothing exploded.Texas farm country is dotted with fertilizer plants in towns served by volunteer firefighters. But a 2009 blaze at the El Dorado Chemical Company in Bryan, Texas, unfolded much differently than the disaster in West. Bryan firefighters knew a welder had accidentally heated up an ammonium nitrate bin and the chemical was smoldering. They evacuated the area, and let the facility burn to the ground. Nothing exploded.
It's too early to say whether that approach would have worked in West because no one knows for sure what caused the fire or what other substances were present. But the key to fighting the Bryan blaze was knowing the chemical involved and its risks, said Bryan fire marshal Marc McFeron.It's too early to say whether that approach would have worked in West because no one knows for sure what caused the fire or what other substances were present. But the key to fighting the Bryan blaze was knowing the chemical involved and its risks, said Bryan fire marshal Marc McFeron.
Doreen Strickland, president of the volunteer firefighters from nearby Abbott, pulled up to the plant as it exploded. One of her fire trucks was lifted in the air and slammed back down. Some of her men were inside, and she knew they had to be dead. At least three were killed. But she heard no one discuss ammonium nitrate ahead of the massive blast.Doreen Strickland, president of the volunteer firefighters from nearby Abbott, pulled up to the plant as it exploded. One of her fire trucks was lifted in the air and slammed back down. Some of her men were inside, and she knew they had to be dead. At least three were killed. But she heard no one discuss ammonium nitrate ahead of the massive blast.
"Our main reason for evacuating at that time was because of the heat and intensity of the fire, and it was so close," Strickland said. The anhydrous ammonia "was a major concern.""Our main reason for evacuating at that time was because of the heat and intensity of the fire, and it was so close," Strickland said. The anhydrous ammonia "was a major concern."
Dr George Smith, medical director of the town's ambulance service, knew the facility had fertilizer chemicals. He didn't know about ammonium nitrate, and said he wasn't thinking of an explosion. He, too, imagined a lethal chemical cloud.Dr George Smith, medical director of the town's ambulance service, knew the facility had fertilizer chemicals. He didn't know about ammonium nitrate, and said he wasn't thinking of an explosion. He, too, imagined a lethal chemical cloud.
He ran to the nursing home to move residents to the side of the building farthest from the plant, placed damp towels in the door cracks and prepared to turn off the air conditioning.He ran to the nursing home to move residents to the side of the building farthest from the plant, placed damp towels in the door cracks and prepared to turn off the air conditioning.
The fire company, meanwhile, called for assistance.The fire company, meanwhile, called for assistance.
"Fully engulfed," firefighters reported at 7.41pm, according to radio transmissions and call logs. They asked for a ladder truck, an extra ambulance and other help."Fully engulfed," firefighters reported at 7.41pm, according to radio transmissions and call logs. They asked for a ladder truck, an extra ambulance and other help.
At 7.53pm that changed.At 7.53pm that changed.
"Rest home destroyed," a caller informed dispatchers."Rest home destroyed," a caller informed dispatchers.
"Advise, big explosion and shook every house," another said."Advise, big explosion and shook every house," another said.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.