Fuel refinery tank burns in Billings
No injuries reported; plant not evacuated
BILLINGS – Fire crews responded to a blaze Thursday afternoon in a tank at the ConocoPhillips fuel refinery in Billings that resulted in a lot of smoke but no injuries.
The company said all employees and contractors had been accounted for shortly after the blaze was reported at 3:20 p.m.
“Trained emergency response teams have responded and are working to contain the fire,” said refinery spokeswoman Tiffany Wilson.
Wilson said the Billings Fire Department, along with company fire crews and crews from neighboring refineries, were called in to help.
The Billings Gazette reported that witnesses said the fire had collapsed a fuel tank and was burning down the side of the structure. The tank is between the refinery and Interstate 90.
A large plume of smoke was visible, but the plant had not been evacuated, and the smoke diminished by evening. Police had sealed off surrounding streets.
Last Christmas, the ConocoPhillips refinery was hit with a blaze that was contained by employees – the same day a fire started across town at the CHS Refinery in Laurel.