STATE FIRE OFFICE INVESTIGATION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE Case# I 19?08-007 Priority I 1 I Investigator I Thomas Henry I Status I Active Day of Fire I Wednesday Date of Fire 06/05/2019 Time ofFire 1200 I Cause ofFire Accidental Date ofRequest 06/05/2019 I Date Case Assigned I 06/06/2019 Date ofInvestigation 06/06/2019 City of Fire I Roswell I County of Fire I Chavez Location of Fire 1004 w. Hohson Rd., Building 1630 Type of Fire Investigation I Structure I Injuries I yes I I I Deaths I yes I I 1 OWNER Full Name I City Of Roswell I Phone# I (575) 637-6200 Address I 425 Richardson Ave Race I n/a Other n/a I Sex I n/a Age Date of Birth We Social Security# I - ~n/a Driver?s License# I n/a Insurance I No I Insurance Company Name I unknown Policy# I IEffeetive Dates I ITO I Amount of Policy: I Structure$ I I Contents I Adjusters Name Adjusters Phone Agents Name Agents Phone Agents Address I OCCUPANT Full Name n/a Phone# Address I Race I I Other Date of Birth I Social Security# I Driver?s License# I Insurance I No I Insurance Company Name I Polieytt I IEffeetive Dates I Amount of Policy: I Structure$ I I Contents 113 I Adjusters Name Adjusters Phone Agents Name Agents Phone Agents Address I DISCOVERED REPORTED Fi? Full Name I Roswell Fire Dept. Fireworks crew I Phone# I Address I Race Other I Sex Age I I Date ofBirth I Social Securityat - - Driver?s License# REQUESTOR Full Name I Matt Miller I Phone# I Address I Race I I Other I iSex I I Age I I Date of Birth I Social Security# I - - I Driver?s License# MOWCLE Type ofVchieIe I Year Make Model Vehicle Use I Color I OWINFORMATION Other Investigating Agencies NMSP, ATF Responding Fire Departments Weather Conditions I I Wind Direction I To I Velocity I ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION Arson Lab Utilized I NO I Smoke Detectors Present Unknown I Utilized I Approved By I I Date I Form REPI, Rev 81?21?04 STATE FIRE OFFICE INVESTIGATION REPORT FIREIARSON INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE 19-08?007 Investigator Thomas Henry Supplement Report SYNOPSIS On June 5, 2019 New Mexico State Fire Marshal?s Of?ce received a report of an explosion that occurred on June 5, 2019 at the address of 1004 W. Hobson Rd., Building 1630 in Roswell, NM. The building was on property belonging to the City of Roswell Municipal Airport. The incident occurred while ?re?ghters with the Roswell Fire Department were in the building preparing for the upcoming Fourth of July ?reworks event. Twelve ?re?ghters were on scene and sustained various injuries. Two of the ?re?ghters sustained signi?cant burn injuries and were ?own to a burn center in Lubbock, Texas for further evaluation and treatment. On July 21, 2019, one of the two ?re?ghters died as a result of complications from his injuries. This Investigator (Thomas Henry) Investigator Shane Woodward, Deputy Fire Marshal John Kondratick and Deputy Fire Marshal Raymond Torres responded to this location on June 6, 2019. Personnel from and assisted NMSP and ATP in this investigation. For full Investigation report please reference ATF Investigation Report 785121-19-0026 . This report documents the investigation actions of the Fire Investigations Bureau and is a supplement to the ATP Investigation Report. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the cause of the explosion/?re is ACCIDENTAL in nature. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION The building involved was a concrete masonry block structure with a metal roof and cement foundation and was approximately 2,625 sq. ft. An additional concrete pad was adjacent to the structure with a conex box that was used for the storage of ?reworks used for the City of Roswell?s annual ?reworks display. A metal roll Reviewed By: %74? Date Reviewed 6 7'7 9 Page 1 Form SUP, rev Sep 2006 STATE FIRE OFFICE INVESTIGATION REPORT FIREIARSON INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE 19?08-007 Investigator Thomas Henry Supplement Report up door was located on the north of the structure. Additionally, a set of double doors located west of the metal roll up door on the north side and another double door was located near the southeast corner of the structure. Electrical service entered the structure in the northwest corner of the structure and was active at the time of the incident. For diagram of building and debris field refer to ATF report. WITNESS STATEMENTS According to City of Roswell Fire Marshal Matt Miller, the following firefighters were present in or outside of the structure at the time of the explosion: 0 Fire Marshal Matt Miller 0 Chris Stuart 0 Jose Munoz - Mark Bracken - Buddy Nutt - Jeff Stroble - Hoby Bonham 0 Austin Hinsley I Warren Aldrich - Kenny Barncastle 0 Tucker Burns Reviewed By: Date Reviewed 0 ?7 ?7 9 Page 2 Form SUP, rev Sep 2006 STATE FIRE OFFICE . ??tlit INVESTIGATION REPORT 63 INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE Case 19-08?007 Investigator Thomas Henry Supplement Report personnel assisted NMSP and ATF with this investigation which included witness interviews, scene photos, assisting with debris removal, and scene reconstruction. A meeting with all agencies involved was held at Roswell Fire Department Station #1 located at the address of 200 Richardson Ave, Roswell, NM 88203. The result of this meeting was to determine tasks for each agency involved. The was tasked with assisting ATF agents in conducting witness interviews. The personnel assisted in interviewing the following witnesses/Victims on the day of June 6, 2019 FF Buddy Nutt FF Austin Hensley FF- Jose Munoz Interview with Buddy utt Deputy Fire Marshall John Kondratick, Deputy Fire Marshal Ray Torres and Investigator Shane Woodward performed the interview with F-Buddy Nutt. (See attached Supplemental Report at the end of this report). Interview with Austin Hensley Deputy Fire Marshall John Kondratick and Deputy Fire Marshall Ray Torres assisted ATF Special Agent Jared Kattah and ATF Special Agent Nicholas Dilello in the interview with FF-Austin Hensley. Please refer to ATP Investigation Report #785121-19?0026 for interview details. Reviewed By: Date Reviewed 4 ?71 9 Page 3 Form SUP, rev 5613 2006 STATE FIRE OFFICE INVESTIGATION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE 19?08-007 Investigator Thomas Henry Supplement Report Interview with Jose Munoz This interview was conducted by SA Rosalinda Montes, SA Greg Boeglin from the ATF and Investigator Thomas Henry from Please refer to ATF Investigation Report #785121?19?0026 for interview details. FIRE SCENE EXAMINATION 'On June 7th and June 8th, the ?re scene examination was conducted by ATF Special Agent Certi?ed Fire Investigators with assistance from the New Mexico State Fire Marshals and New Mexico State Police. New Mexico State Fire Marshal?s assisted ATF in this investigation by taking scene photos, assisting in debris removal, and reconstructing the scene. Heavy equipment was used to remove large debris prior to crews making entry to determine the origin and cause of the explosion. Personnel from the New Mexico State Fire Marshal?s Of?ce assisted ATF agents with identifying locations of ?reworks equipment, furniture, and ?re?ghters prior to the explosion. No evidence was collected from the scene by personnel. FIRE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS: After consultation with ATF Certi?ed Fire Investigator SA Dector Celaya, it was concluded that: ?Based on multiple witness statements an explosion occurred while the firefighters were fusing the aerial shells with electric matches. An explosion occurred when the fireworks shell that Fire?ghter Hoby Bonham was holding ignited and exploded fiinciioning as designed. The initial explosion caused other explosions leading to Reviewed By: WWI Date Reviewed 8 v/ 7-7 5 Page 4 Form SUP, rev Sep 2006 STATE FIRE OFFICE INVESTIGATION REPORT FIREIARSON INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE 19?0 8-007 Investigator Thomas Henry Supplement Report the explosion/consumption of all the ?rework shells inside the structure. The build-up of pressure?'om the exploding shells caused the walls ofthe structure to be blown out. The burning pyrotechnic material being released ignited other shells as well as other combustible materials inside the structure. he ?rst fuel ignited was the black powder and pyrotechnic material inside the initial shell that functioned as designed Item #48, Page 22, ATF Roswell Fireworks Explosion Investigation Report #785121?19?0026 Additionally: ?It is the opinion of SACFI Dector Celaya that the fire that occurred on June 5, 2019 at 1004 Hobson Road, building 1630W in Roswell, NM was accidental. Item #55, Page 24, ATP Roswell Fireworks Explosion Investigation Report #785121?19?0026 After reviewing the ?re scene, reviewing witness interviews, and consulting with ATP investigation personnel, it is determined that the ?re is ACCIDENTAL in nature. FIREFIGHTER INJURIES Twelve ?re?ghters were in and around the building at the time of the explosion. Two ?re?ghters sustained signi?cant burn injuries and were transported to the bum center in Lubbock, Texas for treatment. The remaining ten were treated on scene and/or at the local emergency room and were later released. Reviewed By: 1% Date Reviewed 5 L7 1/ g, Page 5 Form SUP, rev Sep 2006 FIRE OFFICE INVESTIGATION REPORT FIREIARSON INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE Case 19-08?007 Investigator Thomas Henry Supplement Report ROSWELL FIREFIGHTER HOBY BONHAM Fire?ghter Hoby Bonham was one of the two ?re?ghters transported to the Lubbock burn unit for treatment. He was released on June 29, 2019 while he continues outpatient treatment. ROSWELL FIREFIGHTER JEFF STROBLE Fire Apparatus Operator/Fire?ghter Jeff Stroble was the other ?re?ghter transported to Lubbock for treatment. th On July 21, 2019, FAO Stroble died after battling to recover from his injuries sustained from the June 5 explosion. Reviewed By: 4% Date Reviewed 5 e/ ?7 '7 9 Page 6 Form SUP, rev 2006 STATE FIRE OFFICE INVESTIGATION REPORT INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU SENSITIVE Case 19?08?007 Investigator Thomas Henry Supplement Report Interview with Roswell Fire?ghter Buddv Nutt On Thursday, June 6, 2019, Deputy Fire Marshal John Kondratick, Fire Investigator Shane Woodward, and Deputy Fire Marshal Ray Torres with the NM State Fire Marshal?s Of?ce interviewed City of Roswell Fire?ghter Buddy Nutt DOB '74) at the Roswell Central Fire Station. Fire?ghter Nutt advised that on Wednesday, June 5, Roswell ?re?ghters were matching ?reworks at the city storage facility located at the city municipal airport for preparation of the 4th of July show. He advised ?re?ghters from Station #4 and #6 arrived in ?re apparatus and that he and Fire?ghter Munoz arrived in their personal vehicles. Fire?ghters arrived at the storage facility at approximately 9 AM and began removing Class ?reworks (3 ,4,5 ,6 inch shells) from the Conex storage box into the storage building for sorting and matching. He advised that once the ?reworks were matched, they were placed into the storage rails (aisles) located west of the sorting table. Fire?ghter Nutt stated that they had been working for about three hours and were down to the last box of the day when he heard a pop and a projectile went passed him. He advised that he was standing in the aisle near the boxes west of the table at this time and the projectile came from the direction of the table. Fire?ghter Nutt stated that he was standing next to Fire?ghter Jeff Stroble at this time in the aisle and Fire?ghter Hoby Bonham was at the table. He advised that he was not completely sure of the location of other ?re?ghters in the building. He stated that he was able to quickly evacuate the building from the southeast door to exit and that he began rescue and ?re suppression efforts. Fire?ghter Nutt provided us a diagram detailing items in the building. Fire?ghter Nutt advised that the building was a concrete block building with no windows and had doors on the north and south sides. He stated all electrical devices such as radios and telephones were located inside the north door. Fire?ghter Nutt advised that the skies were overcast at the time and that a storm was moving in from the west. He stated that it started raining once the ?re was extinguished. Fire?ghter Nutt did not have information as to what may have started the ?re. Page 7 Reviewed By: 4% Date Reviewed 8 t/ 7? 9 Form SUP, rev Sep 2006