Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

WASHINGTON – ATF’s National Response Team has joined the investigation into the May 4 explosion that injured at least four people at Air Liquide Advanced Materials in High Springs, Florida.

NRT members arrived in Florida Saturday to assist the Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations and other local and state partners in this ongoing investigation. The NRT consists of Special Agents, Certified Explosives Specialists, Explosive Enforcement Officers, Certified Fire Investigators, Fire Protection Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Forensic Chemists, an Intelligence Research Specialist, a Medic, and an Accelerant Detection Canine with handler.

“ATF is going to help examine the scene, investigate the leads and follow the facts to how this tragedy may have occurred,” said Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Extending our unique expertise and capabilities demonstrates the division’s respect for our Central Florida partners and underscores ATF’s commitment to public safety.”

This is the 13^th NRT activation this fiscal year and the 904^th since the program began in 1978. The NRT provides an immediate and sustained nationwide response capability, typically deploying within 24 hours of notification, with state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified ATF personnel specializing in fire origin and cause determination.

The team brings definitive expertise and an array of state-of-the-art equipment to the investigation of major fire and explosives incidents. The NRT is comprised of three regional components, organized geographically to cover the United States, allowing for a rapid response to incidents nationwide.

Past NRT activations include such incidents as: the 2020 Nashville “Christmas Day” bombing; more than 200 fire scenes resulting from civil unrest throughout the Midwest in 2020; a series of bombings in Austin, Texas, in 2018; and national-level incidents such as the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon; the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta; the Oklahoma City bombing and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.