Explosion in Bozeman

Natural gas explosion destroys Bozeman landmarks
Story and photos by Mike Coil

On Thursday March 5, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. a natural gas explosion rocked down town Bozeman. Destroyed in the blast in the 200 block of East Main were several local businesses including the Rocking R Bar, the Pickle Barrel, Boodles restaurant, the Montana Trails Gallery and LillyLu. The Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery on the west and the American Legion hall and Starkey’s Deli on the east were heavily damaged by both the blast and the ensuing fire. Local fire crews, assisted by units from Big Sky and surrounding departments, spent most of the day bringing the fire under control.
One person was killed in the explosion. No other injuries were reported which left local emergency officials in disbelief given the size and power of the blast.
The area surrounding the blast site for about 2 blocks was evacuated until local officials were certain that the gas was shut off and the fire was being contained. Students from the Hawthorne Elementary School about 2 blocks from the scene were evacuated to the public library on East Main because of the large smoke cloud which was drifting towards the school for most of the day. Students were allowed to return to school on Friday morning.
Many buildings in the surrounding area were damaged by the blast. The most common damage was broken glass. City crews and business owners worked into late Thursday boarding up broken windows to protect the various buildings from the bitter cold on Thursday night when temperatures dipped into the single digits.
“The Montana Gift Corral has the second oldest historic building in Bozeman. It use to be the blacksmith shop. We came out with hardly any damages,” said Lori Mack an employee of the store.
She was amazed that the store, with glass shelves and glass ornaments did not sustain any damage when surrounding stores had their windows blown out from the blast. It was simply amazing. All the stores around us, all the windows were blown out. Although a picture frame fell from the wall, the glass on it did not break.
The store re-opened Thursday, March 10th.
According to Mack, the store received emails and phone calls as far away as Texas inquiring about the shop’s status.
“They (customers) say we have the most beautiful store in town and they were worried about us. How the town is pulling together is unbelievable. People are purposely going downtown to eat and to buy,” Mack said.
Governor Brian Schweitzer and local legislators came from Helena to assist with the disaster coordination. The National Guard was called out on Thursday night to help secure the area and to provide relief for local law enforcement.
The owners of the buildings destroyed in the blast have vowed to rebuild. No estimate of the total damage is yet available. The cause of the gas leak and explosion is under investigation by Northwestern Energy, the Bozeman Fire Department, the Montana Public Service Commission and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Local officials estimate that East Main Street will be closed for about a week while clean up continues. They are hoping to re-open East Main Street to vehicle traffic today, Friday, March 13th.