Great Falls fire burns building, damages empty tanker cars

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Investigators will probe the cause of a fire that destroyed a building about 10 feet from empty tanker cars.

The Great Falls Tribune reported the property was leased by Calumet Refinery and owned by freight carrier BNSF Railway.

Great Falls Fire Department Battalion Chief Jamie Jackson said the structure is too unstable for an investigation.

The department intends start looking for a cause on Tuesday.

A fire official said there was an unknown residue in the cars.

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP vice president Noel Ryan said several rail cars were damaged before firefighters put out the blaze with the help of Calumet personnel.

Ryan said the empty cars were being stored at the rail yard.