West Texas Explosion Incident Analysis

On April 17, 2013, a devastating explosion occurred at the West fertilizer plant in West Texas, a small town near Dallas. The explosion, caused by a fire igniting large amounts of ammonium nitrate, resulted in 15 deaths and over 200 injuries. Tommy Musaka, the mayor and a volunteer firefighter, was on his way to the scene when the blast knocked him down. He described the powerful force of the explosion, which was undiminished by any barriers, highlighting the severity of the incident.

What event disrupted the quiet of West Texas on April 17, 2013?

• A tornado

• A fire leading to an explosion

• A flood

• An earthquake

How many residents were killed in the West Texas explosion?

• 20

• 15

• 25

• 10

What was the primary cause of the explosion at the West fertilizer plant?

• Chemical spill

• Gas leak

• Electrical fault

• Ammonium nitrate storage

Who was Tommy Musaka in relation to the West Texas explosion?

• The plant manager

• A local resident

• A news reporter

• The mayor and a volunteer firefighter

What did Tommy Musaka experience as he approached the plant?

• A traffic jam

• A power outage

• A loud explosion and a powerful air concussion

• A sudden rainstorm

Why was the force of the explosion particularly dangerous for Tommy Musaka?

• He was wearing protective gear

• He was driving a car

• He was in an open field with no barriers

• He was inside a building