Explosion, Fire Rock Bend's Nosler Bullets BEND, Ore. -- An explosion and fire rocked a portion of the Nosler Inc. bullet manufacturing plant in southwest Bend Wednesday afternoon, prompting an evacuation and the closure of streets in the area. Ddespite a blast felt for several blocks, all 100 workers were accounted for.

The initial report was only about smoke shortly after 2 p.m. at the facility at 107 SW Columbia St., leading to a full evacuation. By 2:15 p.m., there were reports that an explosion had destroyed part of the building. But by 3 p.m., reports from the scene were that all workers on scene at the time of the blast had been accounted for.

A company spokesman said he was told that around 2 p.m., work was under way in the ballistics tunnel, a testing area for ammunition, when there was a flash, followed by the quick evacuation, smoke, and moments later by a massive explosion.

Fire crews arrived at the 80,000-square-foot, 22-year-old facility to find extensive damage to the southeast corner of the building and brownish-yellow smoke pouring from the damaged area, said Fire Inspector Jeff Bond.

A Bend fire special rescue operations team combed the wreckage to be sure all workers were accounted for, while city building officials helped evaluate the damage and hazards for crews performing mop-up and overhaul operations.

Bond said an extensive investigation will be conducted by Bend Fire, law enforcement agencies and -- because of the bullets manufactured there -- the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Bond also said the quick evacuation by workers was "instrumental in a safe and effective exit from the structure."

"The company instituted and practiced building evacuations over the years, and this policy paid off today," Bond said in a news release.

A damage figure still was being compiled for a facility valued at $2.8 million for the structure and $10 million worth of contents, but Bond said it clearly was "pretty extensive."

Columbia Street remained shut into the evening hours. Firefighters asked the public to avoid the area for their safety and that of emergency workers.

Bend Fire did a personnel callback to ensure adequate staffing and called in Redmond and Sunriver firefighters for mutual aid coverage of the North and South stations.

Witnesses said there was a flash in the ballistics-testing tunnel area of the facility, and everybody apparently got out before the blast hit.

The explosion buried at least one evacuated worker's car in debris.

One nearby resident described the blast as like "feeling a bomb inside your house." After her house shook violently, she looked out to see a huge plume of orange smoke.

Barb Gonzalez at first thought it was an earthquake, when her house was jolted by the blast. "This one felt like a 5.5 (magnitude) jolt", said the survivor of the 1994 Northridge quake in California. Her second thought was an explosion.

Bella Blackney said: "All of a sudden the house shakes, and the glass is rumbling in all the windows, visibly - all the glass shook. Really intense. For a second I thought a bomb went off."

People several blocks away said the explosion rattled their office windows.

Thanks Frank.
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Best of luck on the rebuild Nosler!

Sad to hear this, but I am glad no one got hurt.

That is very sad indeed. While a leader in the industry, Nosler was far from being a commercial giant with mega-millions of daily income. From what I have learned over the years, it's a family operation with a family-type atmosphere.

This setback will hurt them all deeply. They're in my thoughts and prayers as they rebound and try and get back on their feet.

Nosler on Facebook

Check out their page on Facebook. There is information about the explosion and updates on how they are doing. You can leave a message as well.

I think it would be a decent gesture on OUR part as AR Forum members , for all of us to PURCHASE a few

boxes of everyone's favorite Nosler bullets . It always helps a company to know they're important enough

that their customers care to help do what they can !. I of all people Don't need any but I'm buying them

anyway !!!.

Doc-

Good point...

Hey Doc, If you are waiting on me, you are backing-up! Those "new" Partitions sure are nice.

I bought 6 boxes of 250 gr 9.3mm Accubonds, and my rifle is not even built yet!

Alan

Never had much luck with the Noslers from an accuracy standpoint except the BT's. Do feel bad for them though and hope they can get repairs made and back up to full speed soon.

I ordered 1 box of 30 Cal 180's and 4 boxes of 375 Cal 300's. That was all that was available from the distributors around here. Midway has plenty more it appears.

Don`t if it`s true but, another forum had a report that the damage was pretty much confined to the testing area and should not have much effect the availablity of their bullets.

Just purchased 5 boxes of bullets, hope they get back up and running soon. I love there bullets and so does my 308 and 204.

I have a "Nosler Addiction" for their cosmetic blems. Just bought 20 sacs of 140 grain .277 Accubonds for my .270 WSM's. Both my rifles are infatuated with them. You wouldn't beleave how many sacs are on my shelfs, in many different calibers. I used this explosion for another excuse to "stock" up. My great grandson will wonder why he has so many available to use, as probably his grandson will also. Good shooting.