NationStates Jolt Archive


Mythbusters blows up a small town

Khadgar
26-03-2009, 14:09
YOLO COUNTY, Calif. -- A big explosion, in the name of science, scared a lot of people in a small town.

Mythbusters went to Yolo County and ended up with a bigger bang than expected.

"It was a boom that was just -- I had never heard anything like that before, it was really wired," said Sherril Stephens.

The explosion was so big it shook the town of Esparto, knocking Stephens off her couch and breaking her front window.

"Course all the neighbors ran out into the street. We didn't know what was going on," said Paul Williams, who heard the explosion.

Some people said they thought it was a plane crash, others, a house explosion.

The smoke and dust rose from the site about a mile from town.

It turns out the Discovery channel's Mythbusters were taping an episode there.

They were trying to literally "knock the socks off" a mannequin by igniting 500 pounds of ammonium nitrate. But the explosion was a lot bigger than they expected.

"It felt like a house blew up, straight up," said Paul Williams.

Williams was working at local school when he said he heard and felt the big boom.

"We were just scrambling to find out what was going on because we got kids out on the playground," Williams said.

Williams said the school and others in town should have been notified the blast was going to happen.

Chief Barry Burns, of Esparto Fire Department, had several firefighters on hand for the explosion. He said he made the decision not to notify anyone in town for safety sake.

"Mythbusters is supposed to be a really popular show. Everybody would have been out there. We would have had to cancel it because it would have been too dangerous," Burns said.

For most people like Stephens they don't mind the inconvenience.

Stephens' window was replaced that same day compliments of Mythbusters.

"It was fun, really fun," Stephens said.

Now, she said she can't wait to see the show.

Mythbusters told KCRA 3 they replaced a handful of broken windows.

There is no word on when the episode they taped there will air.

http://www.kcra.com/cnn-news/19016582/detail.html

Hahaha. Gotta love those two.

Okay so they didn't blow up the town, they sure scared the shit out of a lot of folk.
Newer Burmecia
26-03-2009, 14:17
Some people said they thought it was a plane crash, others, a house explosion.
WTF? Do houses frequently explode in California?
Khadgar
26-03-2009, 14:25
WTF? Do houses frequently explode in California?

I'm more surprised by the 500lb fertilizer bomb. That's a hell of a bang. I can't imagine there was even more than a few shards of Buster left.
Sarkhaan
26-03-2009, 15:00
WTF? Do houses frequently explode in California?

While it's rare, it isn't unheard of...natural gas leaks and propane are the two usual causes.
RhynoD
26-03-2009, 15:04
That episode aired a long time ago, didn't it?
Khadgar
26-03-2009, 15:06
That episode aired a long time ago, didn't it?

Don't think so. I've not seen that particular one. Biggest boom I've seen them do was the cement truck, which was 800lbs. Side note, most awesome sounding explosion I've ever heard.
Dalmatia Cisalpina
26-03-2009, 21:26
That one hasn't aired yet, but you can bet I'll be watching for it.
On a side note, who else would sell their soul to be a Mythtern?
Wilgrove
26-03-2009, 21:37
Well, Jamie does want a big boom.
The Parkus Empire
26-03-2009, 22:49
It seems they are always blowing-up a mannequin.
Khadgar
26-03-2009, 22:50
It seems they are always blowing-up a mannequin.

Sometimes they use a mannequin, but the aforementioned Buster is a crash test dummy they've done a fair bit of work on over the years.
Anti-Social Darwinism
26-03-2009, 22:51
WTF? Do houses frequently explode in California?

All those meth labs.
The Parkus Empire
26-03-2009, 22:52
Sometimes they use a mannequin, but the aforementioned Buster is a crash test dummy they've done a fair bit of work on over the years.

Then it seems they are always blowing-up a dummy.
Brandesax
27-03-2009, 00:09
I'm amazed I wasn't surprised when I read the title of the thread. You know that they're heading in that direction. The question is, what small town will volunteer to be blown up by the Mythbusters?
Wilgrove
27-03-2009, 00:10
All those meth labs.

Why does that seem funny to me?
Wilgrove
27-03-2009, 00:11
I'm amazed I wasn't surprised when I read the title of the thread. You know that they're heading in that direction. The question is, what small town will volunteer to be blown up by the Mythbusters?

Concord, NC volunteers!
Lunatic Goofballs
27-03-2009, 00:14
In the final episode of the series, they ought to send Buster off in style. :)
Dalmatia Cisalpina
27-03-2009, 01:22
They have sent several Busters off in style already. I believe we're on Buster 3.0 right now ...
Shadow Isle
27-03-2009, 01:24
Haha... that's something new on these boards.
Something hilarious.
Usually it's just debates whether this or that should happen...
UpwardThrust
27-03-2009, 01:37
Want to watch NOW!
The_pantless_hero
27-03-2009, 02:03
You know you are popular when you break a shitload of people's windows and they still think you are awesome.
JuNii
27-03-2009, 02:18
You know you are popular when you break a shitload of people's windows and they still think you are awesome.

To be fair, replacing those windows may have helped. ;)
Pure Metal
27-03-2009, 02:28
http://www.kcra.com/cnn-news/19016582/detail.html

Hahaha. Gotta love those two.

Okay so they didn't blow up the town, they sure scared the shit out of a lot of folk.

epic :D
need to see this... and watch more Mythbusters. i just don't know where to get it from (only season 1 on dvd in this country, no fair!)
Heinleinites
27-03-2009, 06:10
To be honest, the only reason I watch that show is to see them blow shit up. Well, that and the hot little redhead they have on there. She's cuter than a basketful of puppies.
Imperial isa
27-03-2009, 07:12
dam i miss this show,i haven't seen it for sometime now :(
Arroza
27-03-2009, 07:15
I'm amazed I wasn't surprised when I read the title of the thread. You know that they're heading in that direction. The question is, what small town will volunteer to be blown up by the Mythbusters?

Weaver, Alabama would like to volunteer.
Wilgrove
27-03-2009, 07:20
Weaver, Alabama would like to volunteer.

Concord, NC beat you to the punch.
Skallvia
27-03-2009, 08:08
But I voted for the Slow Burn :(