"Federal Probe Finds Regulatory Shortcomings Leading Up To West Blast"

"WEST, Texas -- Although the cause of the deadly blast at West Fertilizer Co. remains a mystery, a federal agency on Tuesday said the tragedy was preventable, citing shortcomings in existing regulations and standards at all levels of government.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said that while it's not known what caused the April 2013 fire, it urged regulators to take additional steps to stop it from happening again.

The explosion - fueled by ammonium nitrate, a highly combustible fertilizer - killed 15 people, injured hundreds and damaged more than 150 houses, schools and other buildings in West, some 80 miles south of Dallas."

Matthew Tresaugue reports for the Houston Chronicle April 22, 2014.