To the Point

How Problems at the Texas Fertilizer Plant Escaped Detection

Last week’s explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas killed 15 people—10 of them volunteer firefighters. It burned a school and destroyed or damaged buildings all over the tiny town. With 2,400 tons of ammonium nitrate stored there, did regulators ever ask the right questions?

By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Last week’s explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas killed 15 people—10 of them volunteer firefighters. It burned a school and destroyed or damaged buildings all over the tiny town. With 2,400 tons of ammonium nitrate stored there, did regulators ever ask the right questions?

Warren Olney
former KCRW broadcaster
Christian Bordal
Managing Producer, Greater LA
Kerry Cavanaugh
editorial writer at the Los Angeles Times
Katie Cooper
Producer, 'One year Later'
Randy Lee Loftis
Dallas Morning News

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To the Point

How Problems at the Texas Fertilizer Plant Escaped Detection

Last week’s explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas killed 15 people—10 of them volunteer firefighters. It burned a school and destroyed or damaged buildings all over the tiny town. With 2,400 tons of ammonium nitrate stored there, did regulators ever ask the right questions?

Share

To the Point

How Problems at the Texas Fertilizer Plant Escaped Detection

Last week’s explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas killed 15 people—10 of them volunteer firefighters. It burned a school and destroyed or damaged buildings all over the tiny town. With 2,400 tons of ammonium nitrate stored there, did regulators ever ask the right questions?

Share