ARIZONA NEWS
ATF encounters delays in Chandler print shop explosion investigation
CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) — Federal authorities have run into some delays while investigating the cause of an explosion at a Chandler strip mall print shop that seriously injuring four men inside the building.
Tom Mangan, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the agency’s National Response Team can’t go into the building until its walls are deemed structurally sound after the roof was blown off.
The cause of Thursday’s explosion remains under investigation, but Mangan said the ATF is looking at a possible fuel-air explosion with a potential gas leak that might have ignited.
He said other factors haven’t being ruled out and the ATF team has arson and explosive experts at the Platinum Printing site.
Two brothers who own the print shop were injured in the blast along with two other men.
Dr. Kevin Foster, director of the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health in Phoenix, said all four victims are expected to recover despite burns on up to 30% of their bodies.
Foster said the young men appeared to suffer second-degree “propane flash burns” to their arms, hands and legs and will need surgery and extended hospital stays.