Montana Power Plant Fire Causes $100K in Damage

A fire broke out in a Billings, Mont., power plant on May 31 and caused $100,000 in damage.

Nobody was injured in the blaze that started in the evening at PPL Montana’s Corette plant. David Hoffman, PPL Montana’s director of external affairs, says the plant had been shut down for about three weeks for annual maintenance.

Billings Fire Department Battalion Chief Terry Larson says the fire started on the fifth floor.

Smoke from the fire was visible from throughout the city.

Deputy Fire Marshal Jeff McCullough says the fire appears to be accidental and the cause is under investigation. Sparks from welders may have ignited some material.

Hoffman says the fire won’t delay the plant’s reopening, but declined to say when it would be back online.

Information from: The Billings Gazette