Crime not ruled out in Texas blast

[white cloud]

WEST, Texas (AP) - Investigators have completed their scene investigation but not ruled out criminal activity as the cause of a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant that killed 15 people and flattened part of a tiny Texas town, officials said Thursday.

The April 17 blast at West Fertilizer injured 200 and leveled part of the tiny town of West. Officials have spent one month combing through debris and speaking to hundreds of witnesses.

"At this time, the state fire marhsal's office and ATF are ruling the cause of this fire is undetermined," State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy said at a news conference Thursday. A criminal investigation continues.

Possible causes of the fire that triggered two explosions have been narrowed to a 120-volt electrical system at the plant, a golf cart or an intentionally set fire, officials said.

The golf cart was parked in the seed room and had been recalled by its manufacturer. All that was found of it were a brake pad and an axle.

"There's a history of golf carts actually starting fires," said Brian Hoback, national response team supervisor for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The batteries hold a charge and when they fail they can ignite the materials around them.
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http://www.necn.com/05/16/13/AP-Sources-Crime-not-ruled-out-in-Texas-/landing.html?blockID=841193&feedID=11106

[Ilsa]

1. It sounds like they don't have a motive

for an intentional fire or explosion, though, or there's at least no hint of one.