Doxol BLEVE 50th Commemoration is July 7
KINGMAN – The public is invited to join the City of Kingman Fire Department in support with other fire agencies on July 7 for the 50th Commemoration of the “Doxol BLEVE”. The commemoration will be held at Lee Williams High School, 400 Grandview, beginning at 2 p.m.
The BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) happened on July 5, 1973 in Kingman. The incident occurred when a propane tank car being off-loaded caught fire and while career and volunteer firefighters were fighting the fire the BLEVE occurred. The incident killed 11 fire firefighters and one civilian. It also burned three other firefighters, two police officers and 95 civilians.
Kingman has remembered the 11 firefighters within the community over the past 50 years. There are 11 trees planted at station 21, 11 lights surround the City Complex, Lee Williams High School is named in honor of the principal who was one of the volunteer firefighters and incorporates the 11 into the school culture, Firefighter’s Memorial Park is in named in their honor, there is a bench in front of the Fire Administration Office and other honors can be seen through town.
