Police Protect Blast Zone, Residents Return

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By Lindsey Scheetz
By Katie Ussin

Story Published: Jun 8, 2011 at 2:35 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 23, 2011 at 3:54 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Wednesday night, six homes were deemed unsafe to return to following an explosion at a neighboring residence Wednesday morning, said the Billings Fire Marshal. Many families were back though Wednesday night as investigators began combing through the rubble left at the blast site.

The explosion happened around 10:30 a.m. at 1411 Granite Avenue. The home was leveled, four other homes sustained significant damage and dozens more minor damage. The fire marshal said damages will likely total more than $1 million.

He said the explosion appears to have involved a natural gas leak, but an official cause is not expected anytime soon. The Billings Fire Department is leading the initial investigation. A special investigation team with Montana Dakota Utilities from Denver will be on scene Thursday. Billings Police will be on scene all night Wednesday.

"Because there's been a lot of houses that had windows broken out and some can't close their doors," said Sergeant Mitch Hart, "So, we're here as a security presence. We have rotating officers throughout the night until tomorrow morning to make sure nothing is taken or disturbed at the crime scene."

Homes two blocks away had windows blown out from the power of the blast, and people as far away as Grand Avenue and 24th Street West heard the blast. There are no reports of injuries.

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chris said on Tuesday, Jan 3 at 9:47 AM

its a conspiracy he did something and the gov. did not like it now he is warned!

adam said on Thursday, Jun 9 at 8:21 AM

nobody was hurt the homeowner aparently never goes out and is always home but for some reason yesterday he left a half hour before the blast. now thats some luck there. guess god does watch out for people.

Sally Soennichsen said on Wednesday, Jun 8 at 5:53 PM

Not one sentence about if anybody lived in the house or any animals or was it vacant or what?

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