WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — A massive fire broke out early Tuesday at an oil supply company in an industrial
part of the western North Dakota oil patch town of Williston.
Authorities have set up an evacuation zone within a half-mile radius of Red River Supply, which is just
east of downtown, according to Williams County Emergency Manager Mike Hallesy.
The fire broke out around midnight Tuesday, Hallesy said. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the
fire. No injuries were immediately reported, the Williston Herald said.
Occasional fireballs were accompanied by the pop of explosions around 1 a.m., and thick black smoke
billowed above the towering flames. Law enforcement officers hurried to evacuate onlookers and reroute
traffic.
A regional hazardous response team and North Dakota National Guard officials are monitoring air quality
near the site, where the fire was still burning at 6:30 a.m., and a cloud of greyish smoke hung over
Williston.
Red River Supply officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The business provides services to oil companies working in North Dakota’s oil patch. It has rail spurs
for loading and unloading liquids such as crude oil, and dry goods like drill pipes and casing,
according to its website. The company’s website also says it provides storage, blending and delivery of
drilling fluids, such as calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium nitrate and pot ash.
Emergency responders are expected to remain on scene for the next day or two, Hallesy said.
A stretch of State Highway 1804 is closed.