Victims of Idaho casino blast identified

WORLEY, Idaho — Fragments of fireworks were found in the charred remains of a metal shipping container that exploded and caught fire, killing two Washington state men at the Coeur d'Alene Casino.

Still, investigators have not determined if the fireworks are to blame for Thursday's explosion, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department.

The identities of the two men killed in blaze were confirmed as casino maintenance employees Donald S. Hanson, of Fairfield, Spokane County, and Richard E. Stokes of Rockford, Spokane County, said sheriff's Capt. Ben Wolfinger.

The investigation — led by the sheriff's department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — will continue into this week on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation, Wolfinger said.

The casino canceled fireworks shows it had scheduled for Saturday and Tuesday.

Louie Harris, who works at a fireworks stand just down the highway from the casino, said he heard a blast Thursday morning about 8:40.