Here’s What Caused An Explosion Killing 18,000 Cattle In Texas

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On April 10 an explosion and subsequent fire occurred at South Fork Dairy in Dimmitt, Texas. The story made national news when details came out about the number of cattle killed in the explosion and fire. 18,000 cattle died in the fire and now we are finally learning what happened.

According to KAMC, State investigators say the cause of the fire was an accident that began with an "engine fire in a manure vacuum truck". The report pointed out that there was no intentional act in the fire. According to a report from KAMC and the AP, employees attempting to put the fire out before it spread.

According to the AP, a worker driving the truck told investigators he noticed what he thought was steam coming from the engine. He tried to drive out of the barn when he realized it was a fire, but he could not make it out, the AP reported. The driver tried to put the fire out with two extinguishers but failed.

The AP said several other employees told investigators they rushed to help, but the fire spread too quickly. Investigators also found a second truck on the property that previously caught fire in the engine, the AP reported.

KAMC also reports that the state's Fire Marshal's office previously said the explosion was due to "flammable liquids expanding rapidly".

Some have called the fire the deadliest fire involving cattle.