On August 13, 2025, shortly before 1:00 p.m. Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 400 block of Gymkhana Lane in Rancho Haven for an explosion of a semi-trailer on the homeowner’s property. The homeowner heard what sounded like a cannon outside of his home, went outside and found his semi-trailer, where he stores miscellaneous items on fire. Upon closer inspection, the homeowner could see the side of the trailer was separated from its frame – showing the trailer had gone through a minor explosion. The Northern Nevada Consolidated Bomb Squad responded and determined that incorrectly stored oily rags had self-combusted causing the explosion to take place.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Truckee Meadows Fire want to remind everyone that even cloth rags can ignite. As the oil oxidizes, heat is released. If the heat is not dissipated, it can build up and ignite the cloth. If such cloths are stored in anything airtight, as the pressure of the fire builds, it will explode.
No one was injured in the explosion and there is no threat to the public. Thank you to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and the Northern Nevada Consolidated Bomb Squad for their assistance in the investigation.
The Northern Nevada Consolidated Bomb Squad is comprised of members from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Reno Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations and Sparks Police Department, serving Washoe County and surrounding areas, including parts of California. The bomb squads’ responsibilities include the ability to build, dismantle, render safe, mitigate or dispose of everything from detreating explosives to improvised explosive devices and anything in between that may pose an explosive risk or hazard to the public. As part of the Northern Nevada Bomb Technicians Federal Task Force, they provide expert support for special events, explosive incidents and investigations both state and nationwide.
