Explosion Tied to Gas Injures 31 at Montana Motel
An explosion apparently caused by natural gas ripped a 40-foot section from a motel Sunday, injuring 31 people.
The blast occurred four minutes after someone phoned Montana-Dakota Utilities and reported a strong smell of natural gas, said Dick Blee, the acting Billings fire chief. Firefighters controlled the blaze within three hours.
“We have witnessed a miracle,” Fire Department Capt. Marvin Jochems said after searchers accounted for all 60 people registered at the three-story Super 8 Motel.
Two people were hospitalized and 29 others were treated at the city’s two major hospitals and released, authorities said.
The explosion appeared to be in a central laundry area with natural-gas lines, Blee said. Individual rooms in the motel have electric heat.
One couple said the floor of their room seemed to give way, but the carpet remained fastened around the edges, so they could walk to the door.
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