Workers at refinery quell morning fire
No one hurt, but diesel fuel unit closed
LAUREL, Mont. – A fire at the CHS Refinery in Laurel was extinguished early Christmas Day by refinery workers.
Refinery manager Pat Kimmet said refinery officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which was extinguished by the refinery’s fire crew and other employees.
No one was injured, Kimmet said.
Lani Jordan, a CHS spokeswoman in St. Paul, Minn., said the fire started at 3:45 a.m. in an area where ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel is made. She said the fire was extinguished by 5 a.m.
Jordan said the diesel unit has been shut down and other refinery operations are under review.
Billings residents reported hearing a loud boom and seeing a plume of smoke or steam over the refinery. Flames were visible for a short time to vehicles traveling on Interstate 90 east of the refinery.