Amid Blast Probe, Nosler(Bullet Factory) Vows to Reopen Bend Plant

[RamboLiberal]

BEND, Ore. -- Investigators returned to Nosler Inc.’s southwest Bend bullet factory Thursday morning to begin looking for the cause of Wednesday’s large explosion and fire, which all 100 or so workers escaped just moments before. But first, authorities worked to make sure the building was safe to enter, and that no explosive materials inside posed a danger.

Zach Waterman, the company’s public relations director, said company was cooperating fully with investigators, and that supervisors and staff were on hand to answer any questions they have. But he was unable to yet say whether or when any production might resume in the standing part of the plant.

Nosler issued a statement Thursday afternoon noting, "A significant finished goods inventory was stored in a separate building and will enable Nosler to meet short-term customer needs."

It quoted CEO Bob Nosler as saying: "Our No. 1 priority, after our people and our premises, is to repair the plant and to get our employees back to work as soon as possible."

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Waterman says the trouble originated in the building's underground ammunition testing area.

“One of the gentlemen that was downstairs saw a bright flash of light,” Waterman said. “He alerted everyone and pulled the fire alarm.”

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

Glad all the employees are okay. Looks like they make hunting & custom made ammo.

[AtheistCrusader]

1. Yeah, I have some good Nosler soft point 30.06.

Good hunting ammo.

Looks like they need to review safety practices though. Such things should never occur in this day and age.

[Katya Mullethov]

2. SEIZE NOSLEEERRRRRRRRRRR !!!

[benEzra]

3. Powder residue is flammable if you build up enough of it.

Waterman says the trouble originated in the building's underground ammunition testing area.

“One of the gentlemen that was downstairs saw a bright flash of light,” Waterman said. “He alerted everyone and pulled the fire alarm.”

Powder residue can become quite flammable if you build up enough of it over a long period of time, which is one reason why indoor ranges have to be cleaned from time to time to prevent excess buildup.

[Euromutt]

4. No casualties, fortunately; Nosler must have a good evac plan

Of course, one would hope than an ammunition manufacturer would have a good emergency evacuation plan, but it's nice to have it confirmed.

[krispos42]

5. They have a Facebook page

Nosler Press Release
Today at 7:19pm
Bend. Ore.-June 3rd, 20I0- At approximately 2:00pm on June 2nd, Nosler Incorporated, experienced a fire of unknown origin in a portion of its manufacturing facility, which was followed by an explosion that damaged the SE corner of one of the Nosler buildings. The building fire alarm was timely activated and all Nosler employees made it out of the building safely and are all accounted for.

The cause of the fire and subsequent explosion are currently under investigation by the appropriate governmental agencies. Nosler will continue to work and cooperate with them in order to assess the damage and to get NosIer, Inc. back up and running.

A significant finished goods inventory was stored in a separate building and will enable Nosler to meet short term customer needs, Nosler's Chief Executive Officer, Bob Nosler, commented that "Our number one priority after our people and our premises is to repair the plant and to get our employees back to work as soon as possible."

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nosler/169945647807?ref=ts

That's presumably PDT on June 4th it was posted, so 10:19pm EDT.