Weippe woman seriously burned in explosion

The owner of the Timberline Cafe in Weippe was seriously burned Friday during a propane explosion in the shop at the business.

Weippe Fire Chief James Cahala said, Cheryl Dotson was purging a new propane tank at the time of the explosion. There was little damage to the business other than the door being blown off the shop and a small flash fire on the cabinet.

According to Nick Albers, Back Country Medics met the Weippe Ambulance on Greer Grade and transported Dotson to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Bob Mattson was also burned in the incident. He was taken by ambulance to Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino, Cahala said.

Since that time, Dotson has been transferred to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle, WA, according to Clearwater County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Goetz.