Idaho gas station explosion leaves two critically injured, others feared dead

On Wednesday afternoon, an explosion occurred at the Atkinson Distributing gas station in Cardiff, a small town in north-central Idaho. The incident was reported shortly after 3 p.m., resulting in two individuals suffering severe burns who were subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Seattle. The fire continued to burn late into the night, complicating rescue efforts and leading officials to believe that additional victims may still be trapped inside the building. The explosion happened while a fuel tanker was offloading fuel at the station, but the cause of the explosion remains unknown. Local authorities, including the Clearwater County Sheriff’s office and Idaho State Fire Marshal, are investigating the scene, which has a debris field covering approximately two city blocks. The remote location of Cardiff, lacking cell service, has hindered communication and information flow regarding the incident. In addition to the two critically injured employees, two other individuals were taken to nearby hospitals, although their injuries have not been disclosed. Eyewitness accounts suggest that there were customers inside the convenience store at the time of the explosion, raising concerns about their safety and well-being. The manager of Atkinson Distributing expressed gratitude towards first responders and the community for their support during this devastating event. As investigations continue, the focus remains on uncovering the cause of the explosion and ensuring the safety of the community.