WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – A more efficient system must be established to alert residents of danger in North Dakota’s booming oil patch, an emergency manager and residents said, after authorities failed to alert the public for more than six hours when a facility storing toxic chemicals exploded.
No one was injured or killed in the explosion and fire that started around midnight Monday and raged for much of Tuesday at the Red River Supply plant, located about half a mile from downtown Williston. The blaze shot fireballs into the air and a plume of smoke prompted the cancellation of flights for several hours.
“They should have done more,” said Aaron Volesky, a resident in the city of 20,000 people.
The fire was the latest of a lengthening list of incidents involving the state’s booming energy sector, including oil train explosions, saltwater spills and fires at facilities caused by lightning strikes. State and local agencies have struggled to ensure safety and regulate the rapidly growing industry.
Volesky heard what he thought was thunder and walked outside his home early Tuesday to find fireballs and smoke filling the sky. His route to work was blocked later that day without notice.