None hurt in Talkeetna taco truck explosion

The aftermath of an explosion that destroyed Talkeetna Tako on Main Street in the early morning hours of Aug. 29, 2023. (Phillip Manning/KTNA)

A taco truck exploded early Tuesday morning in Talkeetna. The blast damaged nearby buildings and could be heard miles away.

At around 4:30 a.m., Talkeetna Tako, a food truck that has called Main Street home for years, exploded, sending debris dozens of yards away. Windows in surrounding businesses were shattered, and items on shelves were thrown to the floor. The door of the trailer was found across the street on the roof of another food truck near the beer garden of the Fairview Inn. The Fairview had many of its front-facing windows shattered.

Immediately behind Talkeetna Tako is a residence owned by the Sheldon family. Reportedly, the home suffered significant damage.  The Sheldons were not home at the time. Part of the roof of the truck landed in the Sheldons’ back yard.

Many of the front-facing windows of the Fairview Inn were broken in the explosion that destroyed Talkeetna Tako early on Aug. 29, 2023. (Phillip Manning/KTNA)

Talkeetna Fire Chief Eric Chappel says a propane leak with an unknown ignition source caused the blast.

Cleanup began shortly after the explosion. By 9:00 a.m., almost all of the debris and glass had been cleared from the street. In addition to Talkeetna Tako’s owners, multiple locals turned up to help clear the debris.

No one was injured in the explosion. Talkeetna Tako’s owner, John Krattinger, says the business is insured.

KTNA - Talkeetna

KTNA is our partner station in Talkeetna. KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences.

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