Authorities have identified two victims in a fatal explosion at an Idaho gas station last week. Brandon Cook, 53, and Wesley Lineberry, 62 were killed in the blast at Atkinson Distributing in Cardiff on Sept. 11. Two others, Donny Billeter, a fuel tanker driver, and Roxann Hubbs, a gas station attendant, were severely injured and remain hospitalized.
The explosion occurred around 3pm while a fuel tanker was refilling above-ground tanks, according to Idaho State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl. The blast obliterated the tanker and scattered debris over a city-block-sized area. The bodies of the deceased were discovered outside the station, but it's unclear if they were inside or outside during the explosion.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with the National Transportation Safety Board and OSHA involved. Sandahl noted the complexity of the investigation, emphasizing, "We're digging deep and it's just going to take some time." A hazardous materials team was also deployed due to remaining fuel. Sandahl described the incident as unprecedented in his 19-year tenure, stating that offloading fuel while risky is generally safe when protocols are followed. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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