Explosion risk from fire in Hurricane gun shop forces street closure, evacuation of nearby businesses

HURRICANE — A fire within the ductworks of a Hurricane gun manufacturing shop Monday forced the evacuation of businesses on the block because of a possible explosion risk.

A fire started in the ductworks of Bullberry Barrel Works, a gun shop in Hurricane, Utah, Monday, June 25, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News

The fire was at Bullberry Barrel Works, which is surrounded by several other industrial businesses. An employee of Bullberry Barrel Works discovered smoke in the building when he arrived at work at about 6:30 a.m., Hurricane Valley Fire Chief Tom Kuhlmann said.

“He was met with a bunch of smoke coming from the door, so he closed the door and called 911,” Kuhlmann said. “We arrived to find light smoke coming from the building.”

Because the fire was within a gun shop that had the possibility of gunpowder or other explosives igniting, businesses within one block of the shop were evacuated, Kuhlmann said, and cars weren’t allowed on the road approaching Bullberry Barrel Works.

After an investigation, firefighters discovered the fire was within a dust removal system within the building, Kuhlmann said.

“The machine had apparently started some of the dust on fire that had gotten into the system,” Kuhlmann said.

A firefighter opens a fire hydrant near Bullberry Barrel Works, a gun shop in Hurricane, Utah, Monday, June 25, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News

Firefighters were able to keep the fire isolated to the ductworks and stopped the spread of fire to the rest of the building. There was no damage to the building besides to the dust removal system and some sheetrock that had to be removed so firefighters could access the system, Kuhlmann said.

Firefighters completed extinguishing the flames and finished the investigation by about 8 a.m., after which the road was reopened and employees at nearby businesses were allowed to return to work.

According to an update on Bullberry Barrel Works’ website, the shop should reopen soon after the “extensive clean up.”

Colorado City Fire Department and the Hurricane Police Department also responded to the scene.

This report is based on statements from emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter:  @STGnews | @SpencerRicks

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

 

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