Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
8166998 
Journal Article 
Pepcon plant fire/explosion: A rare opportunity in fire/explosion investigation 
Mniszewski, KR 
1994 
Yes 
Journal of Fire Protection Engineering
ISSN: 1042-3915 
6 
2 
63-78 
English 
The paper describes the Pepcon ammonium perchlorate (AP) plant fire which occurred last May 4, 1988 in Henderson, Nevada claiming two lives, injuring 372 people, and damaging plant buildings as well as those in nearby residential areas. Most of the accident was recorded on videotape by a tower maintenance crew which shows details of the rapid plant fire spread sequence providing a rare opportunity in fire/explosion investigation. Possible causes of the accident are listed, though the official cause is still undetermined. Conclusions are listed regarding major factors involved in the ignition and extreme rate of fire spread.