Explosion Leaves Two Dead And Destroys New Building

Two men were killed in a violent explosion that demolished a brand-new building located in a new commercial center three miles east of Twin Falls.

Authorities identified the victims as William Black, 42, of Kimberly, who owned the business, Black’s Seal Coating, and Joe Warr, 36, of Twin Falls.

The cause of Wednesday’s blast remained under investigation.

“It was a big inferno,” said Seth Christensen. “I ran up to the front of the building and there was a gentleman, I don’t know who he was, who was throwing dirt on something. Then I saw there was a guy on the ground and, although he wasn’t on fire, I assume he had been.”

The other rescuer asked Christensen to help him drag the victim away from the building, which was burning quickly. Doug Gaskill, who works with Christensen, said the blast apparently blew the victim out a side window.

Shortly afterward, firefighters equipped with air tanks and breathing masks began combing the interior, where the second victim was found.