MESA, AZ — A 22-year-old man is dead after investigators say he was moving explosive materials when it ignited inside a Mesa facility that makes weapons of war.
Nammo Defense Systems sits near Higley and Thomas roads in Mesa, and it is the largest U.S. production facility for the company. Officials with Nammo say along with shoulder-fired systems and rocket motors, the Mesa facility manufactures commercial ammunition and propellant powder.
The business is near hundreds of homes in the Red Mountain Ranch neighborhood.
Emergency crews discovered that there was a "flash fire with a flammable material" inside a Nammo building on the property.
Crews were able to extinguish the flames but also discovered a victim in the fire.
A spokesperson for the company said by email that they are supporting the on-going investigation into the incident with care and concern, “As we continue the investigation, we are keeping the family and friends of our colleague foremost in our hearts. Our immediate focus is on our commitment to the safety of employees, the community, and our site.”
The Mesa location manufactures M72s which are shoulder-fired systems used by the Department of Defense.
In December of 2021, Nammo was awarded a $498,092,926 contract from the Department of Defense to make the M72 Light Assault Weapon.
Near the facility, which is mostly surrounded by desert landscape are hundreds of homes including new homes being built.
ABC15 spoke with a long-time neighbor who hears explosions often but didn’t know what exactly is made there.
“For a long time I thought it was the gravel company at the end of Red Mountain Ranch because they dig up the granite on the side of the mountain so I just assumed it was an explosion that they were doing, but its been quite recent that I’ve realized it’s coming from them,” said Perii Skolnick.
Skolnick has lived in the home that sits along the exterior of Nammo since 2003, first part-time, until moving to Arizona full-time.
She describes loud explosions that seem to occur each month, sometimes shaking her home.
For Skolnick, it’s the idea of what’s being made that bothers the most, “It's distressing,” she said.
A spokesperson for Nammo said that the site has a number of buildings, but they can not disclose specific information about the facility.
ABC15 asked if there is communication with hundreds of neighbors who live near the site, a spokesperson wrote, “Company leaders are reaching out to customers and stakeholders, communicating relevant information.”
They also say that company leaders notify businesses and residential areas when testing results in loud noises.
It's something Skolnick says she isn’t aware of how to receive.
Mesa Fire officials say they do fire inspections at this facility annually, and they found no violations in their most recent inspection in January.
Officials added that businesses with hazardous materials are required by federal law to report materials to the Arizona State Emergency Response Commission, local officials, and possibly other federal agencies.
Along with Mesa Fire inspecting the location annually, other agencies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives do inspections.
Email ABC15 Investigator Nicole Grigg at nicole.grigg@abc15.com, or connect on Twitter.
