Helena Blast Cuts Electric Power to 37,000

Runaway railroad cars derailed and exploded early today, knocking out power to 37,000 people in and around Helena and forcing the evacuation of thousands in wind chills of 70 degrees below zero.

There were no reports of serious injuries in the 4:48 a.m. explosion, which rocked houses up to three miles away, overturned cars and shattered windows in a nearby college and homes.

The explosion occurred in an open area near three major power lines, and authorities believed that at least one had been severed. Electricity was restored to half the city within 10 minutes.

Firefighters fought a blaze near a railroad tanker containing hydrogen peroxide, which threatened to set off a second explosion, Police Capt. Bud Carbis said. The fire flared up and spread to a boxcar containing plastic pipe, releasing hydrochloride gas, which Carbis described as “very noxious.”

Authorities urged “everybody in town to stay inside,” Carbis said.

About 2,000 people, including 700 to 800 of the 1,100 students at Carroll College, were evacuated from a square-mile area around the blast zone, officials said. Evacuees went to churches, the Helena Civic Center, the National Guard armory and schools, which were already closed because of the cold snap.

The blast initially knocked out power to all of the state capital, which has about 27,000 people, and the surrounding Helena Valley, population 10,000.