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Propane Explosion Activates Emergency Operations Center in Clark County, Nev.

Friday night explosion triggers evacuation

Clark County, Nev., activated its Emergency Operations Center to assist North Las Vegas and other government and community agencies in evacuating a one-mile area near Craig and Pecos roads, where a propane explosion occurred Friday night, according to a release from the county.

North Las Vegas Police issued a notice of evacuation of the area surrounding AmeriGas at 4430 McGuire St. in North Las Vegas. Officials are monitoring a 30,000-gallon tank located at the farm and believe it could still explode. Other tanks also may pose a hazard.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police report evacuating 700 to 1,000 homes. Local emergency managers also sent recorded messages to about 8,000 residential and business telephone numbers in the area advising of the evacuation. An incident command post is set up at North Las Vegas Fire Station 52, near Losee and Alexander roads.

Clark County emergency managers have activated a recorded phone line for residents living in the area to call if they need transportation assistance. The phone number is: 223-4636 (INFO). Residents are asked to leave a message with their names, telephone numbers, addresses and the number of people in their household who need transportation. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada has buses on standby to assist with transportation.

The Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross has set up a shelter in Exhibit Hall B at Cashman Center, 850 N. Las Vegas Blvd. Since 2 a.m., the Red Cross reports that 48 people have registered at the shelter. The local chapter of the Salvation Army is providing meals at the shelter. For information about shelter operations, contact Peter Macias, cell: 496-7667.

Clark County Fire Department is providing personnel and equipment to support North Las Vegas police and fire in handling the incident. A local task force called ARMOR has deployed a remote-controlled robot to evaluate the condition of the propane tank. ARMOR stands for All-hazards Regional Multi-agency Operations and Response. The task force consists of personnel from Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas Fire Department and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.