Texas officials on Friday announced that they were launching a criminal investigation into the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion that occurred in West, Texas. Fifteen people were killed in the explosion, and around 200 others were injured.
Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw directed the Texas Rangers to join McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara in the investigation.
“This disaster has severely impacted the community of West, and we want to ensure that no stone goes unturned and that all the facts related to this incident are uncovered,” McCraw said in a statement.
Earlier Friday, authorities arrested a paramedic, Bryce Reed, who was one of the first responders to the scene of last month’s fire and explosion. Reed will reportedly be charged with possession of a destructive device, though authorities have not said whether the charge has any connection to last month’s incident.
