Calumet Montana Refining is continuing its investigation into the March 7 explosion and fire at the refinery in Great Falls.
The company released a statement Monday that reads:
Calumet Montana Refining is working to complete a thorough investigation of the March 7 incident at the plant. We will work this investigation as efficiently as possible, but also need to ensure it is thorough and complete. We will share information once it is available.
We are proud of our excellent safety record and continue to work every day with dedication to safe and environmentally‐responsible operations.
Emergency responders were called to the Calumet refinery along 10th Street and Smelter Avenue around 1:15 p.m. last Thursday. Crews worked for about three hours to put out the fire following the explosion.
All roads within a half-mile radius of the refinery were blocked during the incident.
No injuries were reported and fire and police units cleared the scene around 4 p.m.
- Investigation continues into explosion at Great Falls refinery
- Calumet: Fire was isolated to small portion of plant; full staff reporting to work
- Witnesses recall refinery explosion: ‘It felt like there was an earthquake’
- Roads around refinery open; cause of reported explosion under investigation
- Calumet issues statement, all plant personnel accounted for
- GFPD: traffic shut down around refinery, two schools have shelter in place
- GFFR responding to refinery for reported explosion and possible fire
(March 7, 2019) It’s a calm Thursday evening in Great Falls after an explosion and fire at the Calumet refinery.
Emergency crews were called to the refinery along 10th Street and Smelter Avenue at around 1:15 p.m. Responders worked for about three hours to put out two fires following the explosion.
Witness reactions flooded social media with firsthand accounts calling the immediate aftermath chaotic.
Ryan Johannesen was working at Mountain View Co-Op directly across the road from the refinery when he felt the explosion.
“It felt like there was an earthquake in the building,” he said. “The windows were rattling and stuff and I looked up and there were flames probably eighty feet in the air.”
Johannesen said he was afraid for the safety of anyone who might have been near the explosion.
“It scared me. I mean, that’s a pretty close call. It could have been a lot worse with the two gas stations. I’m just glad nobody got hurt,” he said.
Dawn Wood, owner of HCL Equipment and Country Boys Welding located along Old Havre Highway, told MTN News she was talking to her employees when they heard a loud boom.
“My front door, my office door, opened and closed and my dog started barking so I went out and I was looking,” she said. “I thought somebody hit my building with the car, but it wasn’t. I seen the smoke and the fire coming from the refinery and I was like, ‘Oh my god, the refinery’s exploded.’ I was terrified because I know what they make there.”
Calumet Montana Refining released a statement at 2:39 p.m. confirming all plant personnel were accounted for and no injuries were reported. The cause of the explosion is being investigated.
The Montana Department of Transportation reported all roads within a half-mile radius of the refinery were blocked during the incident. As of 6 p.m. Thursday, all roads were open.
Fire and police units cleared the scene around 4 p.m.
Both North Middle School and Sacajawea Elementary School were under a shelter in place during the incident.
Businesses close to the refinery were evacuated including the Montana Club and the Mountain View Co-Op stores. Mountain View Co-Op employees were allowed back in the store around 4 p.m.
Responding agencies included Great Falls Fire Rescue, the Great Falls Police Department, the Montana Highway Patrol, and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.
