Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/backpack-fireball-ignites-arson-probe-at-idaho-gold-prospecting-expo/
A Vendor Clash Turns Perilous (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Kootenai County, Idaho – Tension between vendors at a popular gold mining showcase escalated dramatically when a backpack thrown under a rival’s table erupted in flames. The March 8 incident at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds drew bomb technicians and fire crews to the scene, resulting in the swift arrest of a 21-year-old Californian. Authorities uncovered additional accelerants inside the bag, but quick action ensured no injuries occurred and the event carried on uninterrupted.[1][2]
A Vendor Clash Turns Perilous
Disputes had simmered between two vendors participating in the 27th annual Northwest Gold Prospectors Association’s Gold Prospecting and Treasure Show. The friction boiled over on March 7, setting the stage for the next day’s confrontation. Around 1:15 p.m. on March 8, the son of one vendor approached the competing booth and tossed a backpack beneath the table.[3]
The bag immediately caught fire. An onlooker grabbed it and hurled it outside the building, where it continued smoldering. Witnesses described the moment as an explosion, though the blaze remained contained. Investigators later confirmed the presence of accelerants within the backpack that failed to fully ignite.[4]
Emergency Teams Mobilize Rapidly
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Coeur d’Alene Police Department officers arrived promptly. They detained the suspect without resistance, securing the area amid the ongoing…
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Author : Matthias Binder
Publish date : 2026-03-18 07:32:00
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