Two found dead in Cardiff gas station fire, explosion; investigation ongoing

Two victims were found dead after a fire and explosion at a gas station in Clearwater County. 

Investigators from the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office have been sifting through debris after the fire Wednesday in Cardiff. The focus Thursday was on locating victims and two were found and turned over to the Clearwater County Coroner’s Office. The coroner’s office will work on identifying the victims and notifying family, according to a news release from the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office that was sent Friday. 

“The State Fire Marshal’s Office offers its heartfelt condolences to the family of these two victims and hopes for a speedy recovery to the others injured in this devastating incident,” the news release states. 

The explosion at the Atkinson Distributing station in Cardiff was reported just after 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Clearwater County Sheriff’s office said in a news release. Two people with severe burns were flown by air ambulance to a hospital in a nearby city. The fire was still burning late that night. 

According to the news release from the state fire marshal, the amount of fuel around the scene from the explosion has been an obstacle for investigators. The cause of the incident is still unknown. 

A fuel tanker was offloading fuel at the station when the explosion occurred, according to Jeff Adams, a manager with Atkinson Distributing.

“It is still way too early to even speculate the cause of this tragic event,” said Idaho State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl in the news release. “Piecing together the events leading up to the explosion and fire could take several weeks. We must be methodical and thorough.”

The Regional II Hazard Materials Response Team assisted with control of the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also helping with the investigation looking into the cause of the explosion. Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Transportation Department, ATF also provided assistance. 

“This is an evolving, time-consuming, and complex investigation. Collaboration and cooperation with everyone involved in this investigation is paramount. We ask for patience while we piece together the events leading up to (the) incident,” Sandahl said in the news release.