Fire that led to fatal Texas fertilizer explosion set on purpose

[RPBrown]

Fertilizer plants would make attractive targets for a terrorist (home grown or otherwise), I am surprised we haven't seen more instances of this type thing (arson).

Another type target: Petroleum Bulk Terminals (where tanker trucks fill up) and pipeline hubs are often woefully under guarded and would make easy targets. Terminals are all over the place and have bulk quantities of refined petroleum products (primarily gasoline).

An attack on that kind of facility would not necessarily result in much loss of life, but it would certainly have a major disruptive effect.

On a smaller scale, home improvement stores that have a lot of fertilizer could have catastrophic effects as far as casualties go.

[Pawpaw]

I'm pretty sure home improvement stores don't stock ammonium nitrate.

[ScottDLS]

I'm pretty sure home improvement stores don't stock ammonium nitrate.

Rural ones might, but it really is quite difficult to set off... Not high on my list of concerns.

[Dadtodabone]

I'm pretty sure home improvement stores don't stock ammonium nitrate.

Rural ones might, but it really is quite difficult to set off... Not high on my list of concerns.

Lots of fertilizer products contain ammonium nitrate. I believe they are still the most popular and economical way to provide nitrogen for lawn fertilizers. Theoretically you could soak the fertilizer in diesel fuel and the result would be a crude explosive, you'd just need a detonator.

The N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) numbers on your fertilizer bag tell you the percentages of those elements in the mix. A common lawn mix is 24-2-8. A 30 lb bag yields: N: 24% x 30 lbs = 7.2 lbs. Nitrates, P: 2% x 30 lbs = 0.6 lbs. Phosphorus, K: 8% x 30 lbs = 2.4 lbs. Potassium.
Dissolve the fertilizer in water, use a couple of coffee filters to strain out the non-soluble P & K, boil the water off and the crystalline material left over are your Nitrates. Combine with charcoal and sulfur 75-15-10 for black powder. Mix with a couple of gallons of diesel fuel for ANFO.

[ScottDLS]

I'm pretty sure home improvement stores don't stock ammonium nitrate.

Rural ones might, but it really is quite difficult to set off... Not high on my list of concerns.

Lots of fertilizer products contain ammonium nitrate. I believe they are still the most popular and economical way to provide nitrogen for lawn fertilizers. Theoretically you could soak the fertilizer in diesel fuel and the result would be a crude explosive, you'd just need a detonator.

The N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) numbers on your fertilizer bag tell you the percentages of those elements in the mix. A common lawn mix is 24-2-8. A 30 lb bag yields: N: 24% x 30 lbs = 7.2 lbs. Nitrates, P: 2% x 30 lbs = 0.6 lbs. Phosphorus, K: 8% x 30 lbs = 2.4 lbs. Potassium.
Dissolve the fertilizer in water, use a couple of coffee filters to strain out the non-soluble P & K, boil the water off and the crystalline material left over are your Nitrates. Combine with charcoal and sulfur 75-15-10 for black powder. Mix with a couple of gallons of diesel fuel for ANFO.

Not too easy to set off my local Home Depot fertilizer aisle unless I had a spare grenade lying around, even then 10% Scotts Turf Builder...? Nah I'll just put a rag in a gas can and throw into my local Exxon where they have the propane.