While there has been a lot of speculation regarding Greeno here is the "first" official fire report.
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Fire Prevention and Investigation Section
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
CASE NO: F1212007
DATE: 1-31-12
AGENT: Deputy State Fire Marshal Jerry Smith
SUBJECT: Custom Carbon Processing
DETAILS:
Deputy State Fire Marshal Jerry Smith received a call from Wibaux Fire Chief
Brian Nelson about an explosion and fire with injuries at the Custom Carbon processing
building southeast of Wibaux on 12-29-13.
FC Chief Nelson advised that the building was a complete loss and a semi tanker
was still burning. It was decided DSFM Smith would wait until FC Nelson thought the
area was safe before traveling to Wibaux .
On 1-2-2013 DSFM Smith met with FC Nelson on site and the tanker fire was
still burning. It was decided to wait for the fire to burn it’s self out and the area is safe
before entering.
While waiting on site to become safe DSFM Smith talked with several members
of the Wibaux Fire Department, reviewed FC Nelson’s report and talked with Dan Hollan
who was working at the site at the time of the accident.
Dan Hollan stated he was working at insulating the building on the day of the
incident. When the tanker arrived on site, Josh Garrison the site manager had Dan shut
down the man lift and take a break. While the tanker was being unloaded Dan was in the
storage room/break room playing angry birds on his phone. At some point Dan says he
saw a blue flame at about floor level and he got up and ran out of the building, yelling at
others as he left.
In talking with Josh Garrison he states that at the time he saw flames coming from
the exterior heater vents that heated the building. Josh states that this heater had had some
problems working properly.
Kelly Steen was the truck driver on site he states that on this day instead of
unloading into storage tanks, his load was unloaded directly into the processing
equipment. The liquid began to splash and drop onto the floor. Josh Garrison attempted to
stop the splashing.
Since all indication pointed to a accidental cause DSFM Smith decided the best
course of action was to wait till all involved parties were on site before begin the on site
investigation.
On 1-9-13 DSFM Smith met with the interested parties and ground rules were
discussed. Once the site was declared safe by FC Nelson, DSFM Smith entered the site
with the other investigators and interested parties.
A size up showed that the entire structure had been destroyed. During his site
investigation noted the following:
1-Propane bottles stored inside the building with at least two with radiant heaters attached.
2- A halogen light was seen on the floor close to the shaker.
3- Exterior diesel heater ducted into the building.
4- Building was of pole barn construction.
5- Semi and tank trailers still next to building sitr.
6- Two cars left on site
DSFM was able to determine from the site contactor that the building was
approximately 30 x 150 feet. It was also determined that no state building or electrical
permits had been applied for or issued.
From all reports it appears this this fire is accidental in nature. However several
factors may have contributed to the cause of the fire.
Possible contributing factors:
1- No building permit or plan review to determine if building being built met state building codes for code requirements for type of operations being conducted.
2- No electrical permit or plan review to determine if national Electrical Code requirements had been addressed for type of operations in building.
3- Employees did not receive adequate safety training.
4- Other than fire extinguishers DSFM Smith did not find any other safety devices.
5- Having ignition devices such as radiant heaters in an environment that produced flammable vapors.
This is a preliminary report with supplemental reports to follow as information
becomes available. Owner information will be covered in a separate supplemental report.
_________________________
Jerry Smith
Deputy State Fire Marshal
Miles City Office
1-406-232-9765
