Why did the West Fertilizer plant explode?
Why did the West Fertilizer plant explode?
The explosion occurred after a fire broke out in the plant. Investigators from the Texas Department of Insurance and State Fire Marshall’s Office concluded ammonium nitrate was the cause of the explosion.
Where was the chemical plant explosion in Texas?
Two people are dead after a chemical leak and explosion Tuesday evening at plant in La Porte, Texas, company officials said. Two people are dead and 30 were hospitalized after a chemical leak at a Houston-area plant, officials said.
What happened west Texas explosion?
HOUSTON – The fertilizer plant explosion and fire in West, Texas, happened on April 17, 2013, killing 15 people and causing hundreds of injuries among the rural area’s 2,800 people.
What plant exploded in Beirut?
Cause. Warehouses in the port were used to store explosives and chemicals including nitrates, common components of fertilizers and explosives. The General Director of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, said the ammonium nitrate confiscated from Rhosus had exploded.
How long did the West Texas fertilizer explosion last?
Fifteen people were killed, more than 160 were injured, and more than 150 buildings were damaged or destroyed….West Fertilizer Company explosion.
| Explosion site several days after the event | |
|---|---|
| Date | April 17, 2013 |
| Non-fatal injuries | Approximately 160–200 |
What plant in Texas blew up?
Port Neches plant
A year before its Port Neches plant exploded, Houston-based TPC Group had installed monitors along the facility’s fenceline to detect fugitive leaks of 1,3 butadiene — a highly flammable gas produced there.
What is West Texas famous for?
West is not just any small Texas town. It’s best known for its deep-rooted Czech culture and tight-knit families. And it’s even more famous — and beloved — for its kolaches, the traditional pastry with a dollop of fruit in the middle.
Why did the fertilizer explode in Beirut?
Blast explosion at time 5:55 pm (initial explosion) and at 6:08 pm (orange and mushroom cloud) at the port of Beirut (Source online). The blast was caused by a large amount of AN exceeding 2.7 kilotons, fueled by the initial flames emitted from the adjacent burning warehouse.
What has been the worst industrial accident?
The single worst industrial accident in history occurred on December 3, 1984, when some 45 tons of the dangerous gas methyl isocyanate escaped from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India.
What is the world’s worst industrial disaster?
Bhopal disaster
The Bhopal disaster, also referred to as the Bhopal gas tragedy, was a gas leak incident on the night of 2–3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is considered among the world’s worst industrial disasters.
How did ammonium nitrate get to Beirut?
Documents unearthed by Al Jazeera say the ammonium nitrate arrived in Beirut aboard a Russian-owned cargo ship after the vessel experienced mechanical problems at sea.
Where was the West Fertilizer Plant in Texas?
•West Fertilizer Plant 2 • Established as a railroad and farming town • Settled by Czech and German farmers • 20 miles north of Waco • Population 2,800 • A popular stop along Interstate 35…famous for Kolaches West, Texas • Established in 1958 • 10 full time staff • Approximately 150 tons (300,000 lbs) ammonium nitrate (AN) on site.
What was the damage to the West Fertilizer Plant?
The massive explosion obliterated the West Fertilizer Company plant and caused heavy damage and further destruction to surrounding areas. Numbers for people dead or injured varied initially.
Where was the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas?
An aerial view shows investigators walking through the aftermath of a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas April 18, 2013.
Why was West Fertilizer Company fined by OSHA?
According to records obtained by the Associated Press, OSHA cited the plant for improper storage of anhydrous ammonia and fined it $30. OSHA could have fined the company as much as $1,000. OSHA also cited the plant for violations of respiratory protection standards, but did not impose a fine.
