Saturday, July 01, 2006

As reported by the Spokesman Review: "Two Coeur d'Alene Casino maintenance
workers died Thursday morning in an explosion and fire in a large shipping
container that may have been used to store fireworks. "Donald S. Hanson, 56,
of Fairfield, Wash., and Richard E. Stokes, 49, of Rockford, Wash., are
missing and presumed dead, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's
Department. "Sheriff's Capt. Ben Wolfinger said the men appear to be victims
of 'a tragic accident,' but the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire
was not determined. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives is assisting in the investigation. "Wolfinger said an autopsy
will be performed next week, and dental records will be used to positively
identify both victims.

".Authorities received a 911 call about 8:43 a.m. reporting a fire and
explosion in the metal container about 300 yards from the northwest corner
of the casino hotel. Fire crews arrived to find the fire had spread to a
nearby pickup truck, which was used by the two workers and owned by the
casino, Wolfinger said.

".The casino, owned by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, employs about 800. It was
not evacuated, and casino operations continued as normal."