- Home
- >>Local
- >>Henderson
Henderson
35 years since the PEPCON disaster
Black smoke billows from the PEPCON plant in Henderson on May 4, 1988, after a fire and explosion. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The former PEPCON site near Black Mountain, pictured on April 30, 1998. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Kendra Brown, left, and Pat Hinds who work at Unicorn Sailing Center, watch from outside their business as smoke and fire billow from the PEPCON facility in Henderson, May 4, 1988. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
An aerial photo of the PEPCON site before the May 4, 1988 explosions. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
An aerial photo of the PEPCON site after the May 4, 1988 explosions. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Firefighters walk amid twisted steel beams Thursday, May 5, 1988, at the PEPCON site. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Overturned vehicles are seen in the parking lot at the PEPCON site. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Authorities search on Friday, May 6, 1988 for the body of Roy Westerfield at the PEPCON site. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Rubble is strewn across a classroom at Burkholder Junior High in Henderson after the PEPCON blasts. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Clark County firefighters clean up hazardous materials scattered during the explosions in Henderson on May 10, 1988. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Gregory Raab, a senior scientist with Lockheed Engineering and Management Services Co., uses a portable detection meter to look for lead contamination in the soil at the PEPCON site on May 12, 1988. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The Kidd & Co. marshmallow plant smolders in the aftermath of a series of explosions last year at the PEPCON site. (Associated Press)
Scars on the desert landscape mark what remains of the Pacific Engineering plant on April 29, 1989. In the background sits the Kidd & Co marshmallow plant which was rebuilt after the blasts and closed in 2001. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
TOP: State official Jeff Hayden checks out structural damage on a Green Valley home May 26, 1988 as Randy Jackson, a FEMA inspector, looks on. BOTTOM: FEMA inspector Randy Jackson surveys a buckled garage door on a Green Valley home. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A view of where the former PEPCON site used to be before the 1998 explosion in Henderson in April 2018. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
More Stories
ByTaylor Lane/Las Vegas Review-Journal
May 4, 2023 - 6:30 am
Updated May 4, 2023 - 7:32 pm
It’s been 35 years since the Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON) plant in Henderson was destroyed in a series of explosions after ammonium perchlorate, an oxidizer used in rocket fuel, caught fire.
Here’s the disaster, by the numbers:
827 days after the Challenger disaster
The PEPCON facility was contracted by NASA to produce ammonium perchlorate for space shuttle launches, but after the Challenger explosion in 1986, which killed the craft’s entire seven-member crew, NASA haulted its missions while the disaster was under investigation.
But, production of AP didn’t stop at PEPCON.
Over the course of 15 months, PEPCON accumulated over 4,000 tons of the oxidizer. With no place to ship the AP, the oxidizer sat on site.
The AP was contained in a a series of bags, bins and drums. The most common form of storage were 550-pound capacity drums; at PEPCON, there were over 10,000 around the facility.
1,500 tons of ammonium perchlorate burned
Approximately 4,500 tons of ammonium perchlorate was being stored at the plant the day of the blast. During the blast and subsequent fire, 1,500 tons of AP were consumed — four times the amount of the oxidizer used for one space shuttle solid rocket booster.
The fire was caused by a welding torch that ignited a structure at the plant. The fire spread to several nearby 55-gallon drums of AP. About 20 minutes later, the first explosion occured at 11:52 a.m., followed by the second explosion four minutes later.
The fire after the explosions burned for five hours, according to a NASA report.
3.0 and 3.5 on the Richter scale
Observatories in California and Colorado reported the two major blasts at 3.0 and 3.5 on the Richter scale. Investigators said the blast had the same impacts as a 1-kiloton air-blast nuclear detonation, NASA reported.
2 deaths, 372 injuries
Two people died in the explosion out of the facility’s 77 employees. Bruce Halker, vice president of operations at the plant, died. Halker used a wheelchair and was unable to escape in time. His body was recovered 25 yards from the plant.
Roy Westerfield, another plant employee, also perished. His body was never recovered.
There were no fatalities at the nearby Kidd & Co. marshmallow plant.
Most of the 300 injuries from the blast were from flying glass, and were minor. The most seriously injured victim of the blast was 22-year-old Pat Rose, who pulled over to watch the fire sweep through the plant before one of the explosions erupted, causing rocks to strike Rose. One rock burrowed into Rose’s skull, causing him lifelong speech and mobility issues, according to Review-Journal reports from 1989.
$100 million in damage
The explosion caused $100 million in damages to buildings within a 10-mile radius of the plant. Henderson schools saw about $1 million in damages alone, with Basic High School seeing damage to its front entrance which sunk several feet after the explosion, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy.
About 22,000 homes within a 3-mile radius of the blast sustained structural damage of about $5,000 each, the Las Vegas Sun reported
The total damage to surrounding businesses and homes was put at $74 million.
The Kidd & Co. marshmallow plant located next to the PEPCON plant was destroyed. The plant was rebuilt on the same site in 1989.
Contact Taylor Lane at tlane@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tmflane on Twitter.
MOST READ
'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += ''; html += 'READ MORE'; html += 'LIVE WELL'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'STORIES LIKE THIS'; html += 'CLICK HERE FOR MORE'; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('livewell').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-sponsored-full').length>0) { return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-what-are-they-hiding')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?'; html += 'Exposing officials and agencies keeping public records from the public.'; html += 'CLICK HERE TO READ MORE'; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('2023-year-in-review').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-2023-year-in-review')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += '2023 YEAR IN REVIEW'; html += 'CLICK HERE FOR MORE'; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('2023-year-in-review').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-msg-sphere')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('tag-msg-sphere').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-jeff-german-murder') || $('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-remembering-jeff-german')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('jeff_german').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-911-anniversary')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'REMEMBERING 9/11: 20 YEARS LATER'; html += 'Looking back at the 2001 terror attacks and how they affected Las Vegas and the world.'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('anniversary-911').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-class-of-2021')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'MEET THE UNFORGETTABLE CLASS'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '2021'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('class-2021').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-2022-election')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'ELECTION 2022'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'ELECTION RESULTS'; html += 'Click here'; html += ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('election-2022').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-harry-reid-1939-2021')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += ''; html += 'Harry Reid(1939-2021)'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'Senate leader and Nevada political titan'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('harry-reid').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-henry-ruggs')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += ''; html += 'HENRY RUGGSDEADLY CRASH'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'CLICK FOR MORE'; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('henry-ruggs').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('category-homicides')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += ''; html += 'HOMICIDE'; html += 'A STORY BEHIND EVERY NAME'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'TRACKER'; html += 'CLICK HERE FOR MORE'; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('homicides').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-sheldon-adelson')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += ''; html += 'Sheldon Adelson(1933-2021)'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'Las Vegas visionary and Philanthropist.'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('sheldon-adelson').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-tony-hsieh')) { html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += ''; html += 'Tony Hsieh(1973-2020)'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'Ex-Zappos and Downtown Project CEO left a lasting impression on Las Vegas.'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('tony-hsieh').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-vegas-weekend')) { //vegas-reawakening html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'VEGAS REAWAKENING'; html += 'A year after the pandemic began, the first weekend of spring showed a perfect storm of promise for Las Vegas’ recovery and brought optimism that visitors would indeed return to the city'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('vegas-reawakening').html(html); return; } //add newsletters embed var default_category_to_show = ['News', 'Local', 'Life', 'Crime']; var newsletter_1st_lv = []; newsletter_1st_lv['default'] = {'id':'starting_point,pm_update', 'track_name':'StartingPoint', 'title':'LOCAL NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free daily Morning and Afternoon Update newsletters.'}; newsletter_1st_lv['Sports'] = {'id':'sports', 'track_name':'Sports', 'title':'SPORTS NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free daily Sports Update newsletter.'}; newsletter_1st_lv['Business'] = {'id':'business', 'track_name':'Business', 'title':'BUSINESS NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free Business Update newsletter.'}; newsletter_1st_lv['Entertainment'] = {'id':'','alert_id':'entertainment', 'track_name':'Entertainment', 'title':'WANT THE LATEST ON LAS VEGAS ENTERTAINMENT?', 'subtitle':'Sign up for free entertainment email alerts'}; //newsletter_1st_lv['Nevada Preps'] = {'id':'nevada_preps', 'title':'HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Stay up to date with our free Nevada Preps newsletter.'}; //newsletter_1st_lv['Investigations'] = {'id':'rj_investigates', 'title':'INVESTIGATIVE NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free RJ Investigates newsletter.'}; var cat_has_subcat = ['News','Business','Entertainment','Sports', 'Opinion']; var newsletter_2nd_lv = []; newsletter_2nd_lv['Politics and Government'] = {'id':'','alert_id':'political', 'track_name':'Political', 'title':'LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS COVERAGE', 'subtitle':'
Sign up for our free RJ politics email alerts.
'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['Politics and Government'] = {'id':'political', 'title':'ELECTION 2020: BE INFORMED', 'subtitle':'
FULL COVERAGE | ELECTION RESULTS
Sign up for our free RJ Politics newsletter.
'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['Debra J. Saunders'] = {'id':'44', 'title':'YOUR WEEKLY POLITICAL FIX', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free DC-LV newsletter with political stories from the swamp to the Strip.'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['CES 2021'] = {'id':'ces', 'title':'CES 2021: STAY IN THE KNOW', 'subtitle':'
The Review-Journal is a media partner with the CTA. Click here for full coverage and live video from CES 2021
Sign up for our free newsletter below.'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['TV'] = {'id':'tv_briefing', 'title':'GET YOUR TV LISTINGS', 'subtitle':'Your Weekly TV Briefing.'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['UNLV'] = {'id':'unlv_rebel_news', 'title':'UNLV SPORTS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Stay up to date on the Rebels with our free newsletter.'}; newsletter_2nd_lv['Rodeo'] = {'id':'rodeo_nfr', 'track_name':'RodeoNFR', 'title':'RODEO NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Don\'t miss any of the action! Click here for full NFR coverage or Sign up for our free newsletter below'}; newsletter_2nd_lv['Raiders News'] = {'id':'vegasnation', 'track_name':'VegasNation', 'title':'WANT EVEN MORE RAIDERS NEWS?', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free Vegas Nation newsletter.'}; newsletter_2nd_lv['Golden Knights'] = {'id':'','alert_id':'golden_knights', 'track_name':'GoldenKnights', 'title':'WANT MORE KNIGHTS IN YOUR DAY?', 'subtitle':'Sign up for free Golden Knights email alerts for all the latest updates'}; var main_cat = ''; var m_hierarchy = []; var m_cat = []; var m_hl_cat = ''; if (window.dataLayer[0].metrics) { main_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.section; //National Finals Rodeo m_hierarchy = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.hierarchy.split(' | '); //"Sports | Rodeo | National Finals Rodeo" m_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.categories; //["National Finals Rodeo","Rodeo","Sports"] m_hl_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics['hl-category']; //Sports } var i, k, found, newsletter; newsletter = false; found = false; if (default_category_to_show.includes(m_hl_cat)) { newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv['default']; } if (newsletter_1st_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hl_cat)) { newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv[m_hl_cat]; } // check main category if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(main_cat)) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[main_cat]; } if (!found) { // check in hierarchy (main category hierarchy) i = m_hierarchy.length; while (!found && i >= 0) { i--; if (i > 0) { if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hierarchy[i])) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[m_hierarchy[i]]; } } else { // i=0, check first level if (newsletter_1st_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hierarchy[i])) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv[m_hierarchy[i]]; } } } } if (!found) { // check in category i = m_cat.length; while (!found && i > 0 && cat_has_subcat.includes(m_hl_cat)) { i--; if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_cat[i])) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[m_cat[i]]; } } } if (newsletter !== false && !$('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-hide-newsletter') && !$('.rj-story-full').hasClass(' rj-story-sponsored-full')) { var alert_id = ''; if (newsletter.alert_id) { alert_id = newsletter.alert_id; } html = ''; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += '
'+newsletter.title+'
'; html += '
'+newsletter.subtitle+'
'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy and '; html += 'Terms of Service. Unsubscribe at any time.'; html += '
'; html += '
'; html += 'This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.'; html += '
'; html += '
'; $('.nlsm-small').html(html); } //});})(jQuery);
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Pets scared by July 4th fireworks kept Las Vegas animal organizations busy
ByElla Thompson/RJ
Over 100 dogs were taken in at The Animal Foundation, Clark County’s animal shelter. Another 25 dogs were rounded up by Paws Patrol.
Las Vegas gets fired up for July 4th with fireworks, fun — PHOTOS
RJ
It was pretty hot outside but the Las Vegas Valley celebrated the Fourth of July with firework shows and special events.
Lawsuit accuses Henderson councilman of predatory loans, presenting company as tribal entity
ByAnnie Vong/RJ
Henderson City Councilman Dan Shaw has been sued for giving predatory loans and posing as a tribal entity to avoid state law on high interest rates.
Crossing guards coming to Henderson middle schools
ByAnnie Vong/RJ
Henderson City Council members voted to approve a measure that would add crossing guards to middle schools.
Woman arrested in fatal multi-vehicle crash in Henderson
ByTaylor Lane/RJ
A woman has been arrested in connection to a fatal, multi-vehicle crash in Henderson.
Henderson receives $25K from Kroger opioid lawsuit
ByAnnie Vong/RJ
Henderson is one of the many cities that will recieve money from the Kroger opioid lawsuit.
‘Can he sit in jail?’ Father of crash victims confronts judge, attorney
ByNoble Brigham/RJ
A man who said he was the father of two young children killed in a Henderson crash that prosecutors have blamed on a drunken driver challenged a judge in court Wednesday.
220-acre community planned for west Henderson
ByPatrick Blennerhassett/RJ
Construction on the first phase of residential development could start in early 2025.
Coming soon: A giant indoor sports, entertainment complex in Henderson
ByAnnie Vong/RJ
The $70M sports complex will include basketball courts, turf fields and a full-service restaurant.
Here’s what is replacing Kitchen Table in Henderson
ByJohnathan L. Wright/RJ
The restaurant marks a third location for a longtime Las Vegas chef with spots downtown and on East Flamingo Road.
MORE STORIES
'; html += '
' html += '
'+d['title']+'
'; html += '
'; $('.rjp-related .base-'+base+' .field-story').append(html); } }});})(jQuery);
