Memories of Nevada PEPCON explosion resurface in light of California chemical emergency

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Thousands of Orange County residents are returning home after officials announced the threat of a catastrophic explosion in Garden Grove has been eliminated. Authorities have since reduced the evacuation zone, allowing approximately 65% of evacuated residents to return to their homes.

“What I’m stating, and I want to be very clear. The threat of a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) has been eliminated,” OCFA Interim Fire Chief, T.J. McGovern said.

As first responders continue assessing the damage in Garden Grove, the incident rings similar comparisons to a devastating explosion that shook City of Henderson residents nearly four decades ago.

In May 1988, what began as a small fire at the PEPCON plant in Henderson sparked a series of massive explosions that rattled the entire community. The blasts left lasting memories for those who witnessed them firsthand.

“I still have nightmares. I will probably have nightmares for the rest of my life,” said retired Henderson Fire Capt. Donald Griffie.

In a recent interview with News 3, Griffie recalled being among the first crews on scene when the PEPCON fire erupted. Griffie recounts the explosion which was caused by ignited ammonium perchlorate; a chemical used in rocket fuel threw him and several others several feet into the air.

“The second explosion happened and I was on the ground and the next thing I know, my driver was hollering where am I and he climbed up into the ladder truck and it had blown me up into the bed of the ladder truck,” Griffie added.

County fire investigators determined the PEPCON fire was sparked by a welding torch. Griffie explained the mechanics behind the explosions that destroyed the site near Gibson Road and Interstate 215.

“What happened is those were two buildings that process ammonium perchlorate. It’s like a gas can. The heat was overcoming the building and eventually the gas expanded more than it could release, and that is what the explosions were, and those buildings were completely gone,” Griffie said.

Similarly, the Garden Grove incident, which began Thursday, prompted crews over the weekend to contain and cool a 7,000-gallon tank leaking what California officials described as a toxic chemical used in the manufacturing of resins and plastics.

While some raise concerns over a possible BLEVE explosion, California officials have said as of Monday the threat has been reduced, in part because a crack in the tank may be relieving some of the pressure building inside.

“With the threat of a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) we look at a blast pattern, and all the data and intel show if you have a BLEVE with this chemical, this tank, you need this much radius. That’s been eliminated. So, if we don’t need that much area for the zones, it could potentially be shrunken. So that’s what we’re all doing right now to vet and validate those,” McGovern added.

Despite the reduced threat, authorities warned there are still ongoing safety concerns.

“There’s still a threat out there, and we need the public to keep to those evacuation zones until we deem it safe for them to come back,” officials said. “We understand the difficulties and the challenges of when we make these evacuation zones. Our communities are out of their houses; they’re out of their normalcy the way they’re living. We want them back, we really do, but we cannot allow them back when there is a safety element to them and their well-being,” T.J. McGovern said.

Nearly 800 emergency workers continue operating around the clock in response efforts. California Governor Gavin Newsom has also secured federal assistance to support operations in the impacted community.