Evaluation of fatal explosion in West, Texas

West Texas explosion

Above image: A screen grab from the video produced by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board about the explosion in West, Texas in 2013.

You may remember the terrible fire and explosion that injured 260 people and killed 15 in the small town of West, Texas April 17, 2013. Ten firefighters died. The incident occurred at the West Fertilizer Company when 30 tons of fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate exploded after being heated by a fire at the storage and distribution facility.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board just released this excellent video with professional quality animations explaining how it occurred. They also point out some training, zoning, and regulatory issues that if implemented may have prevented a large-scale catastrophe.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

One thought on “Evaluation of fatal explosion in West, Texas”

  1. Lessons not learned or forgotten. Texas City, TX 1947. Ammonia nitrate fertilizer detonation on a ship at dock. Subject use to be on every hazmat first reponder training curiculum along with the BLEVE in Kingman Arizona. History unfortunately always repeats itself.

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