Criminal act blamed for deadly Texas fertilizer explosion in 2013

After a three-year investigation, U.S. officials Wednesday said the April 2013 explosion at a fertilizer plant that killed 15 people in the central Texas city of West was a criminal act.

According to local TV station KHOU, officials of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said at a press conference that the fire that sparked an explosion at the fertilizer plant was intentional.

No arrests have been made so far, ATF special agent Robert Elder said, adding that the ATF is now offering a reward of up to 50,000 U.S. dollars for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

Elder said that investigators came to the conclusion after rulling out other reasonable causes, but he didn't release specifics nor a motive. Apart from arson, inspectors had previously cited faulty electrical wiring and a short circuit in a golf cart stored at the plant as possible causes.

"We have come to this conclusion through over 400 interviews, a systematic fire scene examination, considering witness observations, viewing both witness photographs and video, as well as extensive scientific testing" at the ATF laboratory in Maryland, Elder said.

Evidence was collected from as far away as four kilometers from the fertilizer plant, Elder said, adding that those who are responsible for the explosion will be caught and brought to justice.

On April 17, 2013, a large explosion occured around 20 minutes after a fire was spotted at the fertilizer plant. Fifteen people were killed, including 12 first responders. Another 160 people were injured and at least 500 houses were destroyed. The explosion caused about 100 million dollars in property damage, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Endi