Couple and their pets miraculously survive propane explosion that ripped apart Pocatello home

Dec 22, 2022

Pocatello, ID — A propane explosion blew apart a south Pocatello home Thursday afternoon but the couple and their pets who lived there all survived, authorities said.

Emergency responders said it was a “miracle” that the husband suffered only minor injuries in the blast while his wife and their two dogs and parrot all escaped the home unscathed.

The explosion at the couple’s home on Garton Lane off of South Fifth Avenue occurred around 2:10 p.m.

The husband was transported via Pocatello Fire Department ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The man’s wife, their two dogs and parrot were not injured by the explosion, which caused extensive damage to the residence, authorities said. The husband and wife’s names have not been released.

The Pocatello Valley Fire Department said the couple’s home is not inhabitable because of the damage caused by the explosion.

Authorities said the explosion was essentially a ball of fire that blew apart most of the home but did not result in much of a fire afterward.

The Pocatello Valley and Pocatello fire departments and Bannock County sheriff’s deputies responded to the explosion and remained on the scene until around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Garton Lane was temporarily shut down because of the incident.