My heart goes out to those affected by this catastrophe. Maybe just a rumor, but I heard that he was attempting to mimic the actions of Bane/The Joker from the Batman series. Apparently he was said to have been quoting from the script of The Dark Knight, specifically this:
"Look what I did to this city with a few drums of gas and a couple of bullets. Hmmm? You know… You know what I’ve noticed? Nobody panics when things go “according to plan.” Even if the plan is horrifying! If, tomorrow, I tell the press that, like, a gang banger will get shot, or a truckload of soldiers will be blown up, nobody panics, because it’s all “part of the plan.” But when I say that one little old mayor will die, well then everyone loses their minds!"
Again, not sure of the validity of this statement but it's just what's making its way around my town.