Firefighters Dodge Exploding Ammo

Sat., Jan. 11, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Firefighters had to dodge exploding ammunition when fire completely destroyed a home near Springdale about 12:30 p.m. Friday.

No one was injured, but “there was stuff flying all over the place,” said John Ryland, acting chief of Stevens County Fire District 1.

“They’re just small pieces of metal,” he said. “They don’t go very far. It’s more spectacular and noisy than anything else.”

In addition to ammunition going off like firecrackers, Ryland said there was at least one “pretty good” explosion. Some small propane bottles found in the ashes may have accounted for that, he speculated.

Although firefighters had to keep their distance and take cover, Ryland said there was nothing they could have done to save the A-frame home 3 miles northeast of Springdale. It was fully engulfed and starting to collapse when crews arrived, he said.

“We just tried to stay back and stay out of the way as much as possible and pour water on it,” Ryland said.

The occupants, Jeff Swanson and his teenage son, Cameron, weren’t home when the fire broke out.

Ryland said Jeff Swanson reloaded his own ammunition and stored gunpowder in the house.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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