The fire was initially reported around 10pm and crews put the fire under control within 40 minutes. “No evacuation order has been issued and no injuries have been reported,” Dan Carter, public affairs specialist for the ExxonMobil Billings refinery, wrote in a statement to the Gazette. “The Lockwood and Billings fire departments are also responding to support the effort. We’re sorry this happened and we apologize for any inconvenience or inconvenience.” Passers-by could see a column of smoke rising from the refinery late in the afternoon, and eyewitnesses described flames erupting from the complex. Refinery workers can be seen near the entrance to the ExxonMobil refinery in Lockwood as Billings and Lockwood fire departments respond to an explosion report on Saturday, March 26, 2022. MIKE CLARK Billings Gazette Josh Tomets was watching a movie with his family at his home on Lapin Street when they heard an explosion outside. They went on the street and one of the neighbors told them that the refinery was on fire. Thometz recorded footage of the flames as the first correspondents battled the flames.
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The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office said roads to the refinery were blocked and people should avoid the area. Sheriff Mike Linder said deputies helped direct traffic away from the refinery, while crews with the county’s Disaster and Emergency Services, Lockwood Fire and Billings Fire Department were at the scene. Together with the help of city and county crews, the refinery maintains its own emergency response team, the newspaper previously reported. The response team includes a fire brigade and a rescue team. The ExxonMobile refinery covers 720 acres and its products include gasoline, diesel, asphalt, butane and propane. Subscribe to our Daily Titles newsletter.
