Cause of blast that leveled house still a mystery

Investigation continues into a fatal house explosion in Columbia Falls last week.

Authorities have determined that gas entered the house at 1206 Second Ave. W., which exploded Thursday while NorthWestern Energy employees were repairing an underground service line that had been damaged earlier that day by Flathead Electric Cooperative.

The blast killed veteran NorthWestern Energy worker Jim Hilton, 53, of Kalispell.

It is still unclear what ignited the gas and how the gas entered the home, since the ruptured service line served the home behind the house that exploded.

For now, the contents of the home and the site have been turned over to homeowners Ted and Myrtle Langton and their insurance company.

Investigators will reconvene in about a week and a half to conduct a leak test and define the path of the gas into the house before excavating the service line and the main, according to a statement from NorthWestern Energy.

The area around the site, including a portion of 12th Street West, has been fenced and secured during the investigation. All of the neighbors can reach their houses off the portions of the street that will remain open.

Residents of 11 nearby homes who were evacuated were allowed back in their homes on Friday.

“This has been a difficult experience for everyone involved and we appreciate the community support shown for our Kalispell employees and Jim Hilton’s family,” Bob Rowe, president and CEO of NorthWestern Energy, said in a statement. “Our hearts also go out to the Langtons for the loss of their home. They too are in our thoughts and prayers.” 

Hilton’s family on Tuesday announced a memorial fund in his name through Energy Share of Montana that will help gas customers in the Flathead Valley who are struggling to pay their heating bills.

“Jim loved his job, but hated having to shut off customers because they couldn’t pay their bill,” his wife, Shirley, said in a news release from NorthWestern Energy. “Through this fund, we take comfort knowing that he will be helping customers that he wanted to help.”

Contributions to the Jim Hilton Memorial Fund are tax-deductible. The first $5,000 in donations will be matched by Energy Share and NorthWestern Energy.

Donations may be sent to:

Jim Hilton Memorial Fund

c/o Energy Share of Montana

P.O. Box 5950

Helena, MT 59601