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      US Investigators: Deadly 2013 Fertilizer Explosion Deliberately Set

   by VOA News

   Someone deliberately set a fire that ignited a fertilizer plant
   explosion that killed 15 people in 2013 in the southwestern U.S. state
   of Texas.

   U.S. investigators said Wednesday they have eliminated all reasonable
   accidental and natural causes.

   Federal explosives investigator Robert Elder said, "This was a criminal
   act."

   Investigators said no arrests have been made in the massive explosion
   at the West Fertilizer Company in the small town of West, Texas, and
   did not name any suspects. Twelve emergency personnel who responded to
   the blast were among those killed, with 300 more injured.

   The investigators reached the arson conclusion after re-enacting the
   fire at a research lab.

   Until Wednesday's announcement, investigators said the fire that caused
   ammonium nitrate to set off the explosion might have been the result of
   faulty electrical wiring, a short circuit in a golf cart stored at the
   plant or arson.

   The U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency offered a reward of up to
   $50,000 for information leading to an arrest in the investigation.

   Some material for this report came from AP.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-investigators-deadly-2013-fertiliz
   er-explosion-deliberately-set/3326188.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-investigators-deadly-2013-fertilizer-explosion-deliberately-set/3326188.html