32 Injured in Fire at Desert Weapons Firm

COACHELLA, Calif. — A fire at a desert ammunition plant injured at least 32 people today, three of them critically, officials said.

Tight plant security prevented the release of much information about the blaze at Armtec Defense Products, which was reported about 6:30 a.m. and was brought under control by the Coachella Fire Department.

Three of the injured were taken by air to San Bernardino County Medical Center for treatment of extensive burns, said Madeline Hughes, spokeswoman for John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio, where they were initially treated.

Fourteen people were being treated at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage and four at Desert Hospital in Palm Springs, and 11 others were treated at the scene, mostly for smoke inhalation and minor burns.

The fire destroyed a portion of a building in the eastern rear portion of the defense products complex.

A person who answered the telephone at Armtec said no one was available to discuss the incident.

Little information is available about the company.

“Let’s just say they manufacture weapons components,” said Coachella police Sgt. Joe Murillo, who said security is so tight at the defense plant that he knows little about the company.