Two severely injured, two presumed dead, in Idaho gas station explosion

Authorities are investigating a gas station explosion and fire that occurred in Cardiff, Idaho, this week.

Shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to the Atkinson Distributing gas station located at 36753 Highway 11 in Cardiff for a reported explosion and fire.

Two gas station employees were airlifted from the scene with severe burns.

Two other people are believed to have been in the gas station when the explosion occurred, and these people are presumed dead. These people are believed to have been gas station customers.

Atkinson Distributing manager Jeff Adams told Idaho Press that a tanker was offloading fuel when the explosion occurred, but the cause of the explosion remains under investigation by CCSO and the Idaho State Fire Marshall.

Officials said Wednesday that the fire was still burning and it wasn’t clear when it would be safe to return to the location.

Responding agencies also include Pierce Fire Department, Weippe Fire Department, Grangemont Fire Department, Orofino Fire Department, CPTPA, Orofino Ambulance, Pierce Ambulance, Weippe Ambulance, LifeFlight, and the Idaho State Fire Marshall.