Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Air Forces Responds, To Conduct Detonations Of Explosives
A military Humvee loaded with explosive weapons burns Monday along Highway 71 north of Kimball after an accident in which some explosive detonated. Below: This Air Force serviceman on Monday stopped traffic heading north on Highway 71 at the Kimball exit. Vehicles going to Sidney were told to take a detour on 385 north.
A team from the 90th Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight assigned to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, was deployed to this area to conduct a series of controlled detonations on Tuesday, April 12, to render the scene of a totaled Humvee safe following a fire while the vehicle was transiting Highway 71 near Kimball on April 11.
Residents were told that they may hear several detonations throughout the day. However, due to windy conditions, detonations weren't held Tuesday.
Nebraska State Patrol closed the highway in the interest of public safety.
A Kimball County emergency alert sent out at 11:30 a.m. on April 12 announced that Highway 71 northbound and southbound "will be closed till further notice from Kimball to the Harrisburg junction."
Security forces Airmen from the 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB remained on scene to secure the vehicle.
Security forces airmen assigned to the 790 MSFS safely egressed the vehicle near mile marker 23 after noticing flames while transiting the highway.
However, they were unable to remove ammunition, including 40 mm grenades, from the burning vehicle due to the intensity of the flames.
The airmen quickly contacted local emergency responders and established a safety cordon.
The Kimball County Sheriff's Office and fire departments as well as Nebraska State Patrol and Department of Transportation all responded to the scene.
Kimball County emergency officials extinguished the flames from the vehicle, and nearby grass and field areas following the fire. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
For information regarding the Humvee fire, contact the 90th Public Affairs Office at (307)773-3381.
