WACO, Texas — After weeks of treating it as an industrial accident, law-enforcement officials yesterday launched a criminal investigation into the fertilizer-plant explosion that killed 14 people last month.
Word of the state’s action came on the day the feds announced that they had found bomb-making materials belonging to a paramedic who helped evacuate residents the night of the blast.
Bryce Reed was arrested early yesterday on a charge of possessing a destructive device, but officials said the charge was not linked to the blast at the West Fertilizer Co. on April 17.
Texas Department of Public Safety said yesterday that the agency had instructed the Texas Rangers and the Sheriff’s Department to conduct a criminal probe into the explosion.
The agencies will join the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which have been leading the investigation and never ruled out that a crime may have been committed.