Rogue Firework Causes Evacuation Of Tribal Plaza

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

Employees and customers at the Moapa Paiute Tribal Plaza got an unexpected scare on Wednesday night, July 7, when a very large explosion went off very close to the building.

On-site witnesses reported the explosion happened at a little before 9:00 pm. It reportedly shook the whole building and made several people jump. In fact, employees at the nearby Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project reported hearing the explosion across on the other side (west) of the interstate.

According to witnesses on scene, the travel plaza security detail immediately evacuated the building and called the proper authorities. The Valley of Fire exit 75 of Interstate 15 was reported closed for a time while the cause of the incident could be determined.

Almost immediately, social media posts began alarming Moapa Valley about a “situation” which had taken place at the Plaza. Suddenly, unconfirmed rumors began to circulate. Several posts reported that the explosion was from a pipe bomb which had been detonated at the fireworks launchpad area just east of the plaza buildings.

Responding quickly to the scene was the Moapa Band of Paiutes Police Department, The Las Vegas Metropolitian Police Department, The Moapa Valley Fire Department, and The LVMPD Bomb Squad known as the ARMOR Unit arrived on the scene.

The ARMOR Unit stands for All-Hazard Regional Multi-agency Operations and Response. It was started in 2005 from grants from Homeland Security. The task force involves LVMPD, North Lss Vegas Police Department, and Henderson Police Department. The unit’s primary responsibility is to detect, mitigate and investigate chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents. It also uses robots to help accomplish that responsibility. One such robot is known as the Remotec Wolverine, which is a military-grade tactical robot.

After arriving on the scene, members of the ARMOR unit completed a thorough and complete investigation. They quickly determined that the area was safe.

LVMPD Northeast Resident Sergeant Keegan Doty informally reported the results of the investigation.
“The investigation resulted in no evidence of a bomb or pipe bomb,” Doty said. “It was discovered that a large firework produced the large explosion and the shaking of the building.”

“The unknown person(s) who lit the firework shot the firework towards the plaza building which resulted in the effects of the explosion from the firework going off to be felt by those nearby within the plaza,” Doty added.

It was concluded that this was not a hate crime but rather the negligent and improper use of fireworks at the launch site.

Doty also gave acclaim to the security detail and management team at the Moapa Pauite Tribal Plaza. “The security and administration did a great job in evacuating the building and calling authorities,” said Doty.

Doty took the opportunity to remind the public that, even though this was a positive outcome, it could have been a lot worse. He also gave a warning that fireworks are illegal except at the Tribal Plaza launch pads. All other areas of southern Nevada are prohibited. What’s more, he pointed out that even those who light off fireworks there at the launch pads should always follow proper safety techniques and policies.

“They may be fireworks, but they still can cause serious injuries and even death,” stated Doty.