Post by thread:[OT]:: Explosion at Scaled Composites test site, M

MOJAVE, Calif. -- Two people were killed and four others injured Thursday by an explosion at a Mojave Desert airport that is home to pioneering civilian rocket programs, authorities said. A sign on a truck behind a bunker had the name Scaled. Scaled Composites is the Mojave-based builder of SpaceShipOne, the first private manned rocket to reach space. "Reports are two fatalities and at least four critical injuries," said Kern County fire Capt. Doug Johnston, who was not at the scene. KNBC reports that two tanks of nitrous oxide exploded at the airport. A call seeking comment from the airport manager was not immediately returned. It was not immediately clear what caused the blast, which happened around 2:45 p.m. in a remote section of the Mojave Air and Space Port, said Tony Diffenbaugh, an inspector with the Kern County Fire Department. Kern County fire crews and bomb experts were en route to the scene, where there was concern that airport personnel could be exposed to hazardous materials, said sheriff's Deputy Martinez. _______________________ Video here: http://cbs2.com/local _________________________ Picture http://www.knbc.com/2007/0726/13764356_240X180.jpg vid... http://www.knbc.com/2007/0726/13764356_240X180.jpg story... http://www.knbc.com/news/13764132/detail.html?dl=mainclick MOJAVE, Calif. -- KNBC reports that two tanks of nitrous oxide have exploded at the Mojave Airport on Thursday. Mojave Air and Space Port is located at 1434 Flightline St. in Mojave, Calif. There are reports that there are six critical injuries.