HEADLINES

[williamlayton]

I read headlines with a grin--most of the times.
The latest one grew a big grin on my face. It was concerning the West, Texas explosion. The headline yesterday was mind boggling.
It read:  EXPLOSION IN WEST, TEXAS WAS CAUSED BY AMMONIUM NITRATE.
Now, if that was not obvious without forensic study, I don't know what to say. It was a fertilizer plant.
Blessings

[Brett]

Nothing like pointing out the obvious and calling it breaking news.

[pastorp]

I suppose a explosion qualifies as Breaking News. 

Regards,

[Larry L]

Storage of ammonia nitrate in Texas is illegal. Only certain facilities are allowed to to store it, a permit is required, inspections of it are weekly by the State. The plant in West was not supposed to have it at all due to it's location in a populated area. Why it was headlines, who knows but several folks died needlessly. This company and this plant will no longer exist and should have been shut down a few years ago as it's been nothing but violations and safety issues.

[spruce]

I'd say the ammonium nitrate EXPLODED - it was not the CAUSE of the explosion!
 
Human(s) were the CAUSE of the explosion - improper and/or careless handling/storage, and in this case combined with a fire (IIRC) caused the ammonium nitrate to explode.
 
The headline is no different than saying "guns kill people" - not without some input from a human!
 
Don't these clowns learn anything in journalism school - such as an inanimate object can't DO anything on it's own?

[SHOOTALL]

They will have a headline when they can tell us what set the AN off .

[williamlayton]

You don't need anything to set it off. Ammonium Nitrate creates its own combustion.
Those folks in West, Texas liked the Jobs and income----it will be built back.
Life is dangerous folks--and--nobody gets out alive.
Heck fire--we had a rice dryer blow up in Houston in the 70's---nothing but internal combustion. It was a real show that moring---almost down town.
No law can stop internal combustion.
Blessings

[FPH]

       http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/ess/msds/Amonium%20Nitrate.pdf  I don't think so.  I know we are all born dieing but.

[gypsyman]

25+ years ago, we had a major explosion at one of the grain elevators on the Maumee river. Ocean and lake freighters from all over the world come in from Lake Erie to load up on grain and iron ore. I think 2 workers were killed. Grain dust, hot weather, conditions just right. I was 4 miles away, and heard the blast. You just knew something bad happened. gypsyman