1 Dead After U-Haul Explodes in Idaho Shopping Center Parking Lot
- - 1 Dead After U-Haul Explodes in Idaho Shopping Center Parking Lot
Rachel McRadyDecember 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM
4
Lewiston Fire Department/Facebook
Explosion aftermath in Lewiston, Idaho, where a U-Haul exploded on Dec. 13. -
A U-Haul explosion in Lewiston, Idaho has killed one person and damaged several buildings
The blast occurred on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:15 a.m. local time, the Lewiston Fire Department said
The incident was believed to have been accidental
One person is dead following a massive U-Haul explosion on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of a Lewiston, Idaho, shopping center at 7:15 a.m. local time, according to the Lewiston Fire Department.
Upon initial investigation, first responders noted that the incident “appears to have been accidental.”
Lewiston Fire Marshal Julian Sorrell, who led the investigation, released a statement, saying, “At this time, there is no indication the incident is criminal in nature.”
The fire department shared that there was no fire following the explosion.
The blast occurred in a commercial parking lot surrounded by a Courtyard Marriott, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, Famous Footwear, T.J. Maxx and the Village Centre Cinemas. According to the fire department, the Courtyard Marriott and Old Navy buildings were damaged as a result of the explosion.
Lewiston Fire Department/Facebook
Scene of U-Haul explosion in Lewiston, Idaho
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In the press release, the fire department shared photos of the scene, which show the back of the U-Haul entirely decimated with debris littered across the ground and into the surrounding trees.
During the initial investigation, the fire department reported that the U-Haul seemed to be transporting stored materials “including flammable items such as gasoline and propane tanks.”
Lewiston Fire Department/Facebook
Scene of a U-Haul explosion in Lewiston, Idaho on Dec. 13.
Later in the day, the post was , noting that the investigation had been completed.
“The property has been turned over to the owners for post-incident remediation,” the Lewiston Fire Department shared. “Evidence indicated that propane was leaking within the truck’s cargo box. The exact source of ignition could not be determined.”
Agencies that responded to the incident included the Lewiston Fire Department, Lewiston Police Department, Idaho State Police, the City of Lewiston Streets Division (Public Works Department) and Nez Perce County.
The Nez Perce County Coroner’s office identified the victim to local outlet CBS2 as 61-year-old Douglas R. Petersen from Meridian, Idaho.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Lewiston Fire Department for updates on the case, as well as the Nez Perce County Coroner’s Office and has not heard back.
on People
Source: “AOL Breaking”
