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A gas station explosion Friday morning in Buena Vista, Virginia, has resulted in the death of two people and the hospitalization of four others. Here is a sampling of reports from the tragic situation, from the first headlines to hit the web after the incident to the most recent update early Saturday morning :
SATURDAY
From ABC News
Two people were killed and four adults injured in an explosion at a gas station in Buena Vista, Virginia, according to the Rockbridge County Fire Department and Virginia State Police.
The explosion happened around 9:50 a.m. Friday morning, Lynchburg ABC affiliate WSET reported. Several agencies responded to the scene and the fire has been extinguished.
Two bodies were found in the rubble of the gas station, Rockbridge County Fire Chief Nathan Ramsey confirmed. Names of the victims have not been released.
The conditions of the four people taken to the hospital was not known.
“At the request of the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem, is conducting an investigation into the cause of the explosion, and at this time it does not appear suspicious in nature,” Sgt. Rick Garletts of the Virginia State Police said in a statement.
Buena Vista is small town of about 6,600 people bordering a national forest and nestled in the state’s Blue Ridge Mountains, about 60 miles northwest of Roanoke.
Garletts added that “police and fire crews are working to account for all the individuals that may have been located in the building at the time of the explosion.” Officials said late Friday that they believe they have accounted for everyone.
The building has been difficult for responders to access due to safety concerns, per WSET.
Family members of those who were not accounted for were told to wait at Mountain View Elementary School along with counselors and the Red Cross, WSET reported.
FRIDAY
From WTVR-TV News, Richmond
People are still unaccounted for following an explosion at a Virginia gas station. Family members of those missing have gathered near the South River Market in Buena Vista awaiting updates from emergency officials.
“At approximately 9:50 a.m. this morning, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue was called to the scene of an explosion,” a Virginia State Police spokesperson said. “At this stage police and fire crews are working to account for all the individuals that may have been located in the building at the time of the explosion. Four adults have been transported to Carilion Stone Wall Jackson Hospital and are being treated for injuries.”
The South River Market is located on Old Buena Vista Road, near South River Road, in Rockbridge County.
From WDBJ-TV news in Roanoke
Four people were transported to a hospital after what witnesses say was an explosion at a Buena Vista gas station Friday morning.
A call came in reporting the fire at the South River Market at 9:22 a.m. local time.
Mountain View Elementary School in Buena Vista was been evacuated for safety precautions.
Rockbridge County has closed Old Buena Vista Road at the intersection of South River road due to the fire. Motorists are asked to take alternate routes.
From WSET-TV News in Lynchburg
The Buena Vista Fire Department said Old Buena Vista Road has been closed due to a structure fire.
Witnesses said they were near the South River Market when they heard a loud boom and seconds later the gas station was in flames.
Ryan Clark said he had plans to stop at the gas station to get a drink — he was driving down Long Hollow Road, crossed the tracks, and then heard the boom. He said 45 seconds sooner and he “woulda been a goner.”
The fire department said Old Buena Vista Road is closed at the intersection of South River Road. Drivers are asked to use alternate routes.
From WSLS-TV news in Roanoke
Authorities are warning drivers to avoid an intersection in Buena Vista due to an intense fire at a gas station.
The fire started at the South River Market, which is now destroyed.
The gas station is close to Mountain View Elementary, so the school was evacuated Friday morning. Students and staff members went to Rockbridge County High School and parents were able to pick up their children.
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