TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[MrsWilco]

Reed was indicted by a grand jury this afternoon.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Federal-Grand-Jury-Indicts-Ex-West-EMS-Volunteer-207455791.html

ETA: Copy of the redacted indictment http://media.graytvinc.com/documents/reed.pdf

 

[mister happy]

Reed was indicted by a grand jury this afternoon.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Federal-Grand-Jury-Indicts-Ex-West-EMS-Volunteer-207455791.html

I've been wondering about Bryce Reed (haven't we all?). He's one weird, suspicious dude who's in a big jam, but I just don't think he had anything to do with the explosion. How do you guys feel?

 

[MrsWilco]

I've been wondering about Bryce Reed (haven't we all?). He's one weird, suspicious dude who's in a big jam, but I just don't think he had anything to do with the explosion. How do you guys feel?

That's the million dollar question! He's suspicious for sure but whether he's just an attention-seeking whackadoodle or if he had any role in the explosion remains to be seen. I just don't have enough information to know which applies. I'm anxiously awaiting his court appearance tomorrow and the announcement from officials as to the cause of the fire on Thursday.

 

[Peliman]

Canisters containing a fuse, a lighter, six coils of metal ribbon and several pounds of chemical powders were also found.
The powders were described as potassium nitrate, aluminum powder, red iron oxide, ammonium perchlorate, sulfur powder and other materials.

I suppose I find it puzzling someone knew of these chemicals and knew enough to stay away from ammonium nitrate. It's not unknown what ammonium nitrate can do, see Timothy Mcveigh.

From what I remember (many many years ago), potassium nitrate and sulfur made up what's known as chi-com grenades used in Viet-nam.

 

[BeginnersLuck]

This has probably been posted before, but I had not seen it. It's an interesting video of the accounts of Cyrus and his classmates when they heard about the fire and rushed to the scene.

http://www.kwtx.com/news/local/head...First-Responders--205171161.html#.UZLGi7VwrK0

 

[mister happy]

That's the million dollar question! He's suspicious for sure but whether he's just an attention-seeking whackadoodle or if he had any role in the explosion remains to be seen. I just don't have enough information to know which applies. I'm anxiously awaiting his court appearance tomorrow and the announcement from officials as to the cause of the fire on Thursday.

Well, it is just my gut feeling that he is innocent of this. Hope we find out A LOT more in the next two days.

 

[faw720]

Why are they waiting until Thurs? If they know something now, why not say it now? If they don't know it now, why do they think they will know it Thurs?

Could they be preparing more charges for someone? And want to get that in first?

Maybe............

 

[faw720]

I've been wondering about Bryce Reed (haven't we all?). He's one weird, suspicious dude who's in a big jam, but I just don't think he had anything to do with the explosion. How do you guys feel?

I just don't know. The more I hear, the more confused I become. I find it very interesting that Bryce Reed was indicted this afternoon & the same day the announcement was made that the ATF findings will be announced on Thursday.

I find it hard to believe, with the releatively recent news of Reed's arrest, that ATF would just abandon further investigation without looking into this additional info. And the state has announced that a criminial investigation of the explosion is being made by Texas Rangers & Sheriff's Dept. Why would the state investigate the same thing as federal authorities??????

If ATF concludes that they cannot establish a cause of the explosion, how on earth could state officials find anything????? Just moo that if ATF can't find a cause, it's hopeless. I'm not questioning the ability of Tx Rangers & Sheriff's Dept............it's just that ATF has many more resources than the state.

Guess we just have to wait until Thursday.

 

[Starry Night]

I've been wondering about Bryce Reed (haven't we all?). He's one weird, suspicious dude who's in a big jam, but I just don't think he had anything to do with the explosion. How do you guys feel?

I agree with you Mr. Happy-there's something about this guy that comes across as just being a troubled soul, yet not so far gone as to pull a stunt like this (arson, what have you) and have it horribly go awry. I hope not at any rate.

My heart tells me one thing but my head says another...............

 

[BeginnersLuck]

I just don't know. The more I hear, the more confused I become. I find it very interesting that Bryce Reed was indicted this afternoon & the same day the announcement was made that the ATF findings will be announced on Thursday.

I find it hard to believe, with the releatively recent news of Reed's arrest, that ATF would just abandon further investigation without looking into this additional info. And the state has announced that a criminial investigation of the explosion is being made by Texas Rangers & Sheriff's Dept. Why would the state investigate the same thing as federal authorities??????

If ATF concludes that they cannot establish a cause of the explosion, how on earth could state officials find anything????? Just moo that if ATF can't find a cause, it's hopeless. I'm not questioning the ability of Tx Rangers & Sheriff's Dept............it's just that ATF has many more resources than the state.

Guess we just have to wait until Thursday.

Good point! The Sheriff's department would have no knowledge on how to conduct an investigation on the cause of an explosion. It seems like the only reason the Sheriff's department would get involved is if they suspected foul play. It would be awful quick for them to charge him with anything associated with the explosion unless they had some pretty significant evidence linking him to the crime.

His behavior is quite odd though both before, during and after the incident. Why does someone need to lie about credentials and other things, insert themselves into the event and then continue to insert themselves after the fact. Plus his constant pleas for attention on FB and his recent job losses. It's very suspicious. The funeral speech was very suspicious. He may have been on their radar before the person came forward with the box of materials. That just gave them probable cause to arrest him and still continue to investigate him.

I can't remember is he out on bond?

 

[MrsWilco]

Good point! The Sheriff's department would have no knowledge on how to conduct an investigation on the cause of an explosion. It seems like the only reason the Sheriff's department would get involved is if they suspected foul play. It would be awful quick for them to charge him with anything associated with the explosion unless they had some pretty significant evidence linking him to the crime.

His behavior is quite odd though both before, during and after the incident. Why does someone need to lie about credentials and other things, insert themselves into the event and then continue to insert themselves after the fact. Plus his constant pleas for attention on FB and his recent job losses. It's very suspicious. The funeral speech was very suspicious. He may have been on their radar before the person came forward with the box of materials. That just gave them probable cause to arrest him and still continue to investigate him.

I can't remember is he out on bond?

Nope. He's still in jail.

 

[Peliman]

I don't think they are indicting him for causing the explosion, just for "possession of a destructive device." Which seems like something he's admitted.

Odd behavior though, if he thought he might get caught with evidence of the explosion, why not spread the contents with the wind.

 

[MrsWilco]

I don't think they are indicting him for causing the explosion, just for "possession of a destructive device." Which seems like something he's admitted.

Odd behavior though, if he thought he might get caught with evidence of the explosion, why not spread the contents with the wind.

The indictment by the grand jury today was ONLY for possession of an "unregistered destructive device". The arrest affidavit states that he admitted ownership of the device found at his friend's home but Reed's attorney has issued a statement that his client intends to plead not guilty tomorrow. His behavior is very odd but county officials have said that there has been no evidence presented to link him to the explosion. The feds all say they will "neither confirm nor deny" any investigation into a connection between Reed and the explosion.

 

[SeekingJana]

There are most likely lab results just now in, and the ATF and other regulatory agencies conducting the investigation into the cause of the West, Texas, blast want to make certain they have all the needed info for the presser.

Also, something to consider:
IF the blast was not a naturally occurring tragedy, the survivors and the families of the victims need to have support systems in place. The advance notice of the announcement gives time for resources to be there.

1. In total, there are 5 " likely" possible conclusions by the experts examining the blast crater:

a) Fire started due to nature of chemicals, not a deliberate manmade disaster but preventable negligence at the fertilizer plant on the part of owner, Mr. Don Adair. (If you have been following the story, then you know about the many safety deficiencies and lack of a secure storage area, even).

b) Fire and subsequent explosion started due to nature of volatile chemicals and no criminal negligence is assigned to anyone.

c) Fire started due to natural properties of stored chemicals, but the explosion was due to a secondary cause which was unintentional negligence ( improper firefighting methods used to fight a AC/ AN fire resulted in major blast).

d) Fire was deliberately started with intent to destroy property and explosion was man made. Cause was to jeopardize lives. " Hero rescuer" syndrome most likely in view of current GJ indictment of Bryce Reed. Indictment here for those who may have missed it today
:http://www.wacotrib.com/news/courts...cle_4e22bdcd-3a99-5c78-bf8f-b10163ef8015.html

e) Cause undetermined due to size and range of blast. This leaves the cause open- ended, in a way, and a determination may be made at a later date if evidence does provide a determining factor.

2. My belief is that Bryce Reed is NOT innocent, and did not just "happen to have" a pipe bomb and the materials for another on a lark of for any legitimate purposes. He is a Code 6 wing nut and it's all on video. It may not be provable beyond a reasonable doubt, given the amount of destruction at the blast crater, but I think it will be proven in the course of his trial for possession of the pipe bomb that he is a sick pyromaniac with " Hero Syndrome" OR a grudge against one or more of the West. Texas firefighters and EMTS who did not drive away in their trucks when they saw the fire.


JMO.

 

[Starry Night]

Several causes ruled out:

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/...nnounced-Thursday-207429561.html#.UZMG5Upt2ik

 

[SeekingJana]

Several causes ruled out:

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/...nnounced-Thursday-207429561.html#.UZMG5Upt2ik

Thank you for the link to the update on the investigation of the cause of the explosion. I did not have this resource when I wrote my huge long post.:blushing:

To summarize, this is what the investigators have ruled out the following,
quoting from above link:
"Weather, natural, anhydrous ammonium, the rail car containing ammonium nitrate, and a fire within the ammonium nitrate bin" all have been eliminated as possible causes, the Texas Department of Insurance said in a statement last week.
"Additionally, water used during firefighting activities did not contribute to the cause of the explosion," the department said."

IMO, this comprehensive statement leaves very little leeway as to the cause. OMG, those people who died needlessly and all the displaced and still suffering!!:banghead:

 

[mysteriew]

There are most likely lab results just now in, and the ATF and other regulatory agencies conducting the investigation into the cause of the West, Texas, blast want to make certain they have all the needed info for the presser.

Also, something to consider:
IF the blast was not a naturally occurring tragedy, the survivors and the families of the victims need to have support systems in place. The advance notice of the announcement gives time for resources to be there.

1. In total, there are 5 " likely" possible conclusions by the experts examining the blast crater:

a) Fire started due to nature of chemicals, not a deliberate manmade disaster but preventable negligence at the fertilizer plant on the part of owner, Mr. Don Adair. (If you have been following the story, then you know about the many safety deficiencies and lack of a secure storage area, even).

b) Fire and subsequent explosion started due to nature of volatile chemicals and no criminal negligence is assigned to anyone.

c) Fire started due to natural properties of stored chemicals, but the explosion was due to a secondary cause which was unintentional negligence ( improper firefighting methods used to fight a AC/ AN fire resulted in major blast).

d) Fire was deliberately started with intent to destroy property and explosion was man made. Cause was to jeopardize lives. " Hero rescuer" syndrome most likely in view of current GJ indictment of Bryce Reed. Indictment here for those who may have missed it today
:http://www.wacotrib.com/news/courts...cle_4e22bdcd-3a99-5c78-bf8f-b10163ef8015.html

e) Cause undetermined due to size and range of blast. This leaves the cause open- ended, in a way, and a determination may be made at a later date if evidence does provide a determining factor.

2. My belief is that Bryce Reed is NOT innocent, and did not just "happen to have" a pipe bomb and the materials for another on a lark of for any legitimate purposes. He is a Code 6 wing nut and it's all on video. It may not be provable beyond a reasonable doubt, given the amount of destruction at the blast crater, but I think it will be proven in the course of his trial for possession of the pipe bomb that he is a sick pyromaniac with " Hero Syndrome" OR a grudge against one or more of the West. Texas firefighters and EMTS who did not drive away in their trucks when they saw the fire.


JMO.

There was a report of a grass fire before the explosion. Could the grass fire getting out of hand and engulfing the building have caused an explosion?

I believe it said it started in the grain area. I believe that grain is pretty combustible, though not as combustible as the nitrates.

 

[mysteriew]

Several causes ruled out:

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/...nnounced-Thursday-207429561.html#.UZMG5Upt2ik

Need comments from firefighters as to what is left.

 

[Peliman]

I'd have to experiment with ammonium nitrate burning to know. I can tell you C4 plastic explosive properties without a detonator will allow it to burn hot enough to cook C-rations when you break a chunk off.

It will only burn as in a HOT burn and nothing else unless someone stomps on it, then it will explode.

Ps. I'm talking real small amounts here, I'm just explaining the properties of C4.

I'm also aware of dust explosions from silos, sugar dust is one of them.

I could be wrong but I'd think they would need to find pieces of a detonator of some type to file a criminal action. JMO and all that

 

[faw720]

There was a report of a grass fire before the explosion. Could the grass fire getting out of hand and engulfing the building have caused an explosion?

I believe it said it started in the grain area. I believe that grain is pretty combustible, though not as combustible as the nitrates.

This is the first I've heard about the fire starting in the grain area. Originally from a rural area, I do know that grain & hay can be combustible. Why was grain stored at a fertilizer plant?