Firefighters release cause of building explosion
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VICTOR — Propane led to a building exploding near Victor, officials say.
Teton County County Fire and Rescue Chief Bret Campbell tells EastIdahoNews.com a 500-gallon propane tank on the property near 8000 South and 4500 West in the Henderson Canyon area fueled the blast.
At the time of the explosion, Rodney Taylor, 73, was in the north end of 2,000 square-foot woodshop and bunkhouse. Campbell said the propane explosion seems to have originated at the south end of the building, not only destroying the woodshop and bunkhouse but also the adjacent home.
Campbell says neighbors called 911 when they heard the explosion and rushed to the residence.
They later posted on Facebook that they heard and felt the explosion from miles away.
The good Samaritans found Taylor lying in the rubble near a small, growing fire. Campbell said they decided to put themselves in danger to move Taylor away from the fire and administer aid before rescue crews arrived.
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When the neighbors entered the danger area of the explosion there was a downed power distribution line, posing a safety risk, Campbell says.
Although propane has been determined to be the fuel in the explosion, Campbell says investigators are still looking at what sparked it.
Taylor remains in the burn unit at the University of Utah Hospital. Hospital staff say they are unable to comment on his condition.