Explosion, fire injure apartment occupant
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WILLISTON - A woman was seriously burned in an explosion and fire at a four-unit apartment building in Williston on Wednesday, July 15, according to the Williston Fire Department.
The department reported it was dispatched at 12:16 p.m. to the 1400 block of Fourth Avenue West for a report of a residential structure fire with an explosion. Initial reports indicated that a work crew was on site and that the explosion was caused by damage to a natural gas line.
A female in her 20s, who suffered second- and third-degree burns, was transported to CHI St. Alexius-Williston Medical Center in serious but stable condition. She was subsequently airlifted to the Regions Hospital Burn Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Fire-fighting operations were temporarily hindered by the active gas leak. MDU responded to the scene and secured the ruptured line at 1:14 p.m. At that time, the fire was considered contained but not fully extinguished. The structure experienced a partial collapse of the roof and floor into the basement, which made it difficult to fully locate and extinguish the remaining hot spots. The fire was declared fully extinguished at 4:23 p.m., the department reported.
The apartment building had two units on the main floor and two in the basement. All units were occupied at the time of the incident, housing six residents. All occupants have been displaced.
The WFD Fire Prevention Division and the Williston Police Department are actively investigating the cause and origin of the incident.