Excavation planned next week at C.F. explosion site

Excavation on the site where a Columbia Falls house exploded and killed a worker May 6 will begin next week, according to a NorthWestern Energy official.

The cause of the natural-gas explosion is still under investigation, NorthWestern Energy District Manager Mark Gronley said.

Excavation of the gas line, which is expected to take several days, will start on May 27.

NorthWestern Energy representatives held a limited question-and-answer session during the Columbia Falls City Council meeting Monday to address concerns about the gas leak that resulted in a home explosion on Second Avenue West.

A Flathead Electric Cooperative utility crew struck a gas line at the corner of 12th Street and Second Avenue West while installing a power pole. Four NorthWestern Energy employees were dispatched to the residence.

While the utility employees were working on the problem, Ted and Myrtle Langton’s home apparently filled with gas and then exploded. Jim Hilton, a veteran NorthWestern Energy serviceman, was killed in the blast. 

“We were responding to a leaking gas line,” Gronley said. “We’re still investigating what happened.”

Council members asked questions about the follow-up to the explosion.

“Have you gone door-to-door to tell people that things are fine?” council member Mike Shepard asked.

Gronley said residents in a two-block radius have been notified that they are safe.

“We did a leak survey in the area,” he said. “There is still a little bit of residual level at the site.”

The gas level was monitored with two different detectors, but was found to be safe, he noted.

“Is anyone still evacuated?” council woman Julie Plevel asked.

Gronley said in addition to the Langtons, Patty McClenahan and Chuck Haugen have not returned to their house next door.

McClenahan on Tuesday confirmed that they are still not back in their home.

“We’re still living in a motel,” she said. “We’re looking for a home to live in.”

Gronley urges those who think they smell gas in their home to call NorthWestern Energy at (888) 467-2427 or 911. There is no cost to customers to inspect a possible leak.

“We will continue to do safety calls through thick and thin,” Gronley said.