Blast Hits Nev. Rocket Fuel Plant

HENDERSON, Nev. — A series of powerful explosions at a space shuttle fuel plant rocked this southern Nevada city today, flattening the facility and a neighboring marshmallow plant, injuring at least 96 people and shaking buildings 10 miles away in Las Vegas.

“What we see is pretty much total devastation,” said Fred Gibson, an executive for Pacific Engineering & Production Co. of Nevada, which manufactures liquid ammonia and hydrochloric acid for use in space shuttle rocket fuel. All roads leading to Henderson, a town of 25,000 midway between Las Vegas and Hoover Dam, were closed after the midday explosion because of concern the dangerous gas might escape.