WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — An explosion that killed 15 persons at a fertilizer plant in the US state of Texas most likely resulted from a criminal act, US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent Robert Elder told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday.
"We have eliminated all reasonable natural and accidental causes," Elder said in explaining the ATF conclusions.
The ATF is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible, said Elder, who declined to speculate on the reason someone would set fire to the plant.
Some 15 people died and 160 people were injured in the 2013 explosion that leveled much of a nearby farming community.
The dead included ten first responders who were fighting a fire at the West Fertilizer Co. when the blast occurred.
