A catastrophic explosion at an Idaho gas station has left two individuals critically injured and two others believed dead.
At a Glance
- An explosion and fire destroyed a gas station in Cardiff, Idaho.
- The incident occurred at the Atkinson Distributing station on Wednesday afternoon.
- Two people were severely burned and flown to a hospital by air ambulance.
- Two other people are believed to be dead, with the fire still burning late into the night.
Tragic Incident in Cardiff
Authorities reported a devastating explosion and fire at Atkinson Distributing’s gas station in Cardiff, Idaho, on Wednesday afternoon. The explosion, occurring just after 3 p.m., resulted in severe injuries and significant property damage. The incident left two people critically injured and two feared dead.
Two of the critically injured individuals were airlifted to a hospital for severe burns, while two other individuals are believed to have perished in the incident. The fire continued to burn late into the night, hampering rescue and investigation efforts.
The explosion caused massive destruction, impacting other structures in the vicinity and scattering debris over an area approximately the size of two city blocks. The remote location of Cardiff, which lacks cell service, further complicated the flow of information and emergency responses.
Explosion at an Idaho gas station leaves two critically injured and others presumed dead https://t.co/dlvPQOfiWI
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) September 12, 2024
Emergency Responders and Investigation
Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene to provide immediate medical assistance and secure the surrounding area. Two additional people were taken to area hospitals, but the nature and extent of their injuries remain unknown. The two critically injured individuals, later identified as employees of Atkinson Distributing, were flown to a Seattle burn center for further treatment.
“It’s a pretty devastating incident. I believe there have been structures destroyed besides the gas station, and there is a pretty large debris field,” said an official.
A fuel tanker was reportedly offloading fuel at the gas station when the explosion occurred. However, the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown. Investigations are being conducted by two deputy state fire marshals and a special agent from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Community Impact and Reactions
The catastrophic event has deeply affected the Cardiff community. Jeff Adams, a manager at Atkinson Distributing, expressed his deep concern for the affected individuals, particularly the critically injured employees. Customers were reportedly inside the convenience store attached to the gas station during the explosion, and there were concerns over individuals who were unable to escape. “Evidentially there were a couple of customers in the store that did not get out,” reported an eyewitness.
The local community has come together, extending thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the tragic event. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of life in rural communities, compounded by the complexities of responding to emergencies in such remote locations.
