Previous violations at deadly plant explosion

WEST, TX – There was no answer at Donald Adair's home on the outskirts of West. Adair, a life-long resident of the town, owns Adair Grain Company and bought the plant six years ago.

A neighbor stopped by to tell Local 2 he was at a doctor's appointment.

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The company's manager, Ted Uptmore, originally owned the plant before selling to Adair, but stayed on to manage the business. Family said Uptmore was devastated but had no comment.

Uptmore's family roots also run deep in the community. His son and daughter-in-law own the Cattle Auction where the media has been set up since the explosion.

The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration recently fined the company $5,200 dollars for what government regulators said were a lack of safety labels on some tanks and transporting chemicals without a proper safety plan.

Adair's released a written statement, reading in part, "We are presenting all employees for interviews and will assist in the fact finding to whatever degree possible. We pledge to do everything we can to understand what happened to ensure nothing like this ever happens again in any community."