Idaho gas station explosion kills 2 men last week

On September 11, a tragic explosion occurred at the Atkinson Distributing gas station in Cardiff, Idaho, resulting in the deaths of two men, Brandon Cook and Wesley Lineberry. The Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office confirmed their identities shortly after the incident. The explosion happened while a fuel tanker was filling the above-ground tanks, leading to a massive fire that destroyed the tanker and scattered debris across a large area. Two individuals, Donny Billeter and Roxann Hubbs, sustained severe burns and were hospitalized following the explosion. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the explosion, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Idaho State Fire Marshal, Knute Sandahl, noted that the investigation is ongoing and may take time to yield definitive results. The bodies of the deceased were found near the gas station, but it remains unclear whether they were inside or outside at the time of the explosion. The explosion also caused damage to nearby buildings, complicating the investigation due to the remaining fuel at the site. A hazardous materials response team was deployed to manage the situation. Sandahl emphasized that gas station explosions are rare, and this incident marks a significant event in his 19 years of service as a state fire marshal. The process of offloading fuel, while generally safe, carries inherent risks. Sandahl highlighted that the most dangerous activities often involve improper fueling practices, such as smoking while filling vehicles, which can lead to sparks and potential explosions. The community is left mourning the loss of the two men while awaiting further information from the ongoing investigation.