Large Explosion at Nosler Today

[Rick in Oregon]

You'll soon hear about this, so......a large explosion rocked the Nosler ballistics lab this afternoon. The buildings were evacuated, emergency response units called to the scene from all over town. My wife called to tell me she was okay, but no further info as she was calling from the parking lot on someone else's phone, but said the explosion was "BIG".

http://www.ktvz.com/news/23772491/detail.html

[Glen]

Glad to hear the Mrs is OK Rick!! Thoughts & Prayers that everybody is well!!

[bullfrog]

Just heard about it on the radio and logged in to make sure your wife was ok and if you had the inside scoop. Sounds like everybody got out safe. Keep us posted.

[broncsandwhiskey]

Glad to hear your wife and eveybody else is alright, let us know anymore on it.

[cracker]

ROI
just heard the news and logged in real quick and am very relieved to her the Misses is O.K. Hope everything works out and everyone gets back to work soon. keep us posted we will keep everyone in our prayers.
Cracker

[Rick in Oregon]

It appears that one of the Nosler Custom guys was shooting a proof load in the tunnel in a new rifle. He noticed an unusual flame plume from the round going off, but the plume actually gained intensity and was sucked back through the personnel door and into the lab, causing powder stored there to start burning. The guy shooting was protected, as he was shooting through a slot, but they all bailed out immediately and hit the alarm.

Once everyone was out as a result of the now large fire burning, the fire must have reached the powder magazine, and the explosion blew off the roof and two sides of the building directly over the ballistics lab and shooting tunnel. My wife watched the explosion from the parking lot, and said it was like watching a war movie as the building literally blew up.

My guess (guess emphasized) is that unburned bits of residual powder may have built up near the muzzle area in the tunnel over time, and a rather healthy proof load may have ignited it and caused the initial flame plume. Again, just an early guess on my part, a full investagation by the local fire dept, state fire marshall, and the ATF will ensue very soon.

I'm just glad no one was seriously hurt, only one guy got a bit singed. The accounting office is compltely obliterated though. We'll see tomorrow about how/if production will be affected.

Thanks for your caring comments in regard to my dear wife also, very much appreciated.

[Jim White]

W-O-W...

Rick, glad to hear the Mrs and all the other employees got thru this OK.

Jim

[Rat Force One]

Rick,

I'm glad to here P/A is OK. A bit rattled I'd imagine. Was it the original building or the new one?

Probably to early to inquire about a "fire" sale eh? wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Joking aside, send my best to Patti.

Dan

PS: It appears you haven't been doing that freaky sun dance of yours. You know the one with the loin cloth and the Cooper held high over your head. Because it is still RAINING here and at our favorite alphalfa patch.

[acloco]

WOW!!!

[Sidewinderwa]

This is the first that I heard of the explosion. Sure glad your wife and the other employees are all safe. What is it that your wife does there? Does she have a work area anymore?

[WaltherP99]

WOW!!!!! Glad to hear the wife and everyone else is ok!

[BabaOriley]

Glad everyone made through safe... Found this video in a Google search.

[kenbrofox]

Rick,
Nice to hear a happy end to what was potentially extermely dangerous. Buildings can be replaced.
No doubt by now you've heard of the tragedy over here. Guy flipped and shot dead 12 and injured 25 with a .22 rifle and a shotgun. He held license for 20 years. Finished by shooting himself.Very bad day for all involved Ken. PS. Repercussions?

[Ray P]

W.O.W Too Rick glade the Mrs's is ok, along with all her co-workers.
Sorry to here about the building.
Thanks for the update
God Bless all
later
Ray P.
Glade to here also they have fire and safey drills and everyone followed them to a "T"!!

[6.5swede]

Hey Rick... Glad to hear your wife and her co-workers are all OK. As has been said, the buildings and such can be replaced.