Rocket Fuel Production Halted

The Kerr-McGee Corp. has agreed to temporarily suspend production of ammonium perchlorate until an independent safety inspection finds the company’s Henderson, Nev., plant is safe, Gov. Richard Bryan announced today.

Bryan said the company agreed to the temporary shutdown late this morning after several hours of talks. Kerr-McGee resumed production of the chemical Tuesday after shutting the plant down following last week’s massive blasts at the Pacific Engineering and Production Co. facility two miles away that left two people dead. Pacific Engineering also produced ammonium perchlorate, which is a rocket propellant. The reopening drew heavy criticism from local officials and still-jittery residents.