What caused the explosion in Waco Texas?
On April 17, 2013, an explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas killed 15 people, injured at least 200 more and damaged 350 homes. Investigators from the Texas Department of Insurance and State Fire Marshall’s Office concluded ammonium nitrate was the cause of the explosion.
What chemicals were involved in the West End Texas ammonium nitrate explosion?
Investigators confirmed that ammonium nitrate was the material that exploded. On May 11, 2016, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stated that the fire had been deliberately set….West Fertilizer Company explosion.
| Explosion site several days after the event | |
|---|---|
| Date | April 17, 2013 |
| Non-fatal injuries | Approximately 160–200 |
What explosion happened in Waco Texas?
On April 17, 2013, firefighters responded to a fire at the West Fertilizer Company, a storage and distribution facility in West, Texas, a town of approximately 2,900 north of Waco.
What triggers ammonium nitrate to explode?
Ammonium nitrate prills provide a much more concentrated supply of oxygen than the air around us. At high enough temperatures, however, ammonium nitrate can violently decompose on its own. This process creates gases including nitrogen oxides and water vapour. It is this rapid release of gases that causes an explosion.
How many people died in the West Texas fertilizer plant explosion?
15
On April 17, 2013, the West Fertilizer Company’s storage and distribution facility exploded, killing 15 and injuring more than 150. The blast leveled city blocks and left a crater 93 feet wide and 12 feet deep. The people of West have been rebuilding ever since. On Saturday, the long-awaited memorial was unveiled.
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?
Over time, the compound absorbs moisture, which can make the beads stick together into a huge rock, says Sella. When such a large quantity of compacted ammonium nitrate is exposed to intense heat — if, say, an accidental fire breaks out — it can trigger an explosion.
Is ammonium nitrate an explosive?
Compared to most combustible materials, ammonium nitrate itself is not exceptionally explosive. But the compound can contribute to explosions because it belongs to a chemical class known as oxidizers. When something burns, it requires oxygen—that’s why fire extinguishers can easily put out flames by smothering them.
What’s the most explosive substance?
Azidoazide azide
Azidoazide azide is the most explosive chemical compound ever created. It is part of a class of chemicals known as high-nitrogen energetic materials, and it gets its “bang” from the 14 nitrogen atoms that compose it in a loosely bound state. This material is both highly reactive and highly explosive.
What blew up in Houston?
Houston, Texas, U.S. On January 24, 2020, a building at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in northwest Houston, Texas, United States, exploded at 4:24 a.m. Debris was scattered as far as one-half of a mile, and approximately 200 nearby houses and businesses were damaged.
Why is Beirut’s ammonium nitrate blast so devastating?
A massive chemical detonation occurred on August 4, 2020 in the Port of Beirut, Lebanon. An uncontrolled fire in an adjacent warehouse ignited ~2,750 tons of Ammonium Nitrate (AN), producing one of the most devastating blasts in recent history.