Refinery Fire

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By KULR-8 News

Story Published: Dec 24, 2009 at 3:26 PM MST

Story Updated: Dec 24, 2009 at 7:34 PM MST

BILLINGS - Fire officials spent Thursday afternoon battling a massive blaze at the Conoco Phillips refinery in downtown Billings. The fire broke out just a little before 3:30 Thursday afternoon.

Officials said a tank caught fire, sending smoke and flames into the air. Eyewitnesses tell KULR-8 one of the large tanks on scene fully collapsed.

The good news is no injuries have been reported and Conoco Phillips officials said all contractors have been accounted for. Fire officials said as of about 6 p.m. the focus switched to protecting surrounding buildings that may have suffered some damage from the blaze.

A pulmonologist with Billings Clinic said all the smoke in the air could cause breathing issues for people with chronic asthma or other issues like COPD. They said people with these issues should avoid going outside and monitor their symptoms.

Fire investigators said it may take some time to pinpoint what caused the blaze.

Thick black smoke could be seen from miles away as a refinery fire erupts in a storage container at the Conoco-Phillips about 3:30pm in Billings.

Traffic on I-90 was snarled while onlookers took photos, slowed down, or called others on their cell phone.

Montana Highway Patrol officers remained in the area to make sure traffic was moving along, and witnesses were eager to share what they saw.

"When we pulled up from Laurel it was like a bomb went off" said Tony Sellers.

Seller’s son came with his dad to check on the fire.

"If you've never seen a fire, a refinery fire, it’s intense especially for those at the facility and on the Interstate, but we have good crews here in Billings, and Exxon-Mobil mutual aid from Lockwood" said Garrett Sellers

Ross Bradley saw the smoke from the Albertson’s in the Billings Heights and said,

"I've been up in that big coker before and to see flames as high and as big, you know they have a big job on their hands."

Fire crews said as of 6:00 pm the fire was completely contained.

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Jordan said on Friday, Dec 25 at 11:31 AM

rofl @ Garrett. Why would they interview an almost clueless 16 year old kid? BTW: Garrett is a friend of mine.

Daniel said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 8:52 PM

I saw it from Harvest church tn the hightes

David C said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 5:31 PM

That is a coker feed stock tank that holds a type of asphalt sludge. very noxious smoke, please stay indoors if you have any sort of lung problems.

Refinery worker said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:53 PM

I know his right never said any different!

Bill said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:47 PM

It may not be appropriate here, and you may hate him for saying it, but John's right.

Mingnuts said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:28 PM

Please Lord please let everyone who works there come home to their familys

Refinery worker said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:27 PM

please its the wrong time, to be bickering back and forth please put this efforts towards praying for those involved!

Anon said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:27 PM

That is so metal t(' 't).

Jay said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:23 PM

God bless all involved. We pray that no one was hurt.

Andy said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:21 PM

You're incomprehensible remark identifies you as a slug, not a human being. Someone needs to pound a little sense into your apparently diseased brain.

James Knox said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:16 PM

May God's protect you who are fighting this fire. Thank you for your hard work.

Medical Leave Brother said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:14 PM

No one hurt, please. The rest is just stuff we can rebuild.

Firefighter said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:14 PM

John Day your ignorance is showing.

Miss J said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:09 PM

How scary! Prayers for everyone down there on this Christmas Eve, I live close and it looks terrible! Can't imagine what it's like there. Hoping for the best!

PAT said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:09 PM

I have several friends that work there. PLEASE PRAY THAT EVERYONE IS SAFEAND WELL! I worked around and for oil companies all my working life, ther is always an ever present danger there, Good luck and God be with you guys.

john day said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:05 PM

The corperate executive scum should be forced to work in the refineries. Never hsppen.

James said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:02 PM

To All inside the refinery be careful! Our prayers go out to you BE SAFE!!!

Mariah said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4:00 PM

wonder if the smoke becomes unsafe if the will evacuate my relatives live very close.

tim zimmerman said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:59 PM

my brother works there, called him at home and told him about the fire there, frist words out of his mouth was to call down there. hope pray nobody was hurt.

Refinery worker said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:59 PM

Prayers go out for my father and the conoco firefighters, and mutual aid from cenex and billings firefighters

Ginger said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:58 PM

May the Lord be with all the families effected and those directly working on the fire....

Mary Beth said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:57 PM

Be safe firefighters, I pray for you...please keep the news on so people will not be tempted to drive out there.

Jess said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:50 PM

Wonder how safe all the smoke and debris is for the community? This was a large explosion hope those inside the gates are all ok.

the family said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:50 PM

my support goes out to the refinery's fire crews. People don't realize how dangerous their job really is. Be safe guys.

Fire Fighters Wife said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:45 PM

Please, everyone say a prayer that nobody is hurt and that no lives will be lost today. May the Billings and Conoco fire fighters and workers be safe and all return to their families this Christmas season!

Dennis said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 3:39 PM

Let's hope no one is hurt and the fire fighters get in under control without injury or death.

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