The cause of the explosion and fire that rocked downtown Bozeman last week is expected to be released Friday morning.
Officials had planned to provide the public with the results of the investigation on Thursday, but Bozeman City Manager Chris Kukulski said that they need to get the okay from a Gallatin County District Judge.
"All the information gathered in the investigation is considered confidential criminal justice information, which by law we are prohibited from releasing without a court order. We are anticipating that order being signed (Friday) morning."
Kukulski said that although the city thinks it needs a court order to release the cause of the blast, that does not mean criminal charges are being filed.
Last week's explosion leveled three buildings along East Main Street, destroyed six businesses and claimed the life of Tara Bowman, 36.
A press conference to announce the investigation's findings is scheduled for 10:00 Friday morning.
(from March 12, 2009)
Authorities have not released the cause of a deadly blast that rocked downtown Bozeman last week, saying they are waiting on court order from a district court judge.
Officials were expected to release the cause at a Thursday afternoon press conference.
Another press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday and authorities are hoping to release information on the cause at that time.
"All the information gathered in the investigation is considered confidential criminal justice information, which by law we are prohibited from releasing without a court order. We are anticipating that order being signed in the morning. We are just as anxious as you are to release the information," Bozeman City Manager Chris Kukulski said.
Though they need the judge's signature to release the information, it does not mean that criminal charges are being filed, Kukulski said.
However, when asked if the investigation was being treated as a criminal one, Police Chief Mark Tymrak said "all investigations are considered criminal until proven otherwise."
City officials said they didn't anticipate needing the court order to release the investigation results but that they must follow the law.
The explosion that happened at 8:12 a.m. Thursday, March 5, leveled Boodles restaurant, the Montana Trails Gallery, Lily Lu's and Tolstedt Architects. Tara Reistad Bowman, 36, who was at work inside the art gallery that morning was killed in the blast.
The impact and fire also caused significant damage to the Rocking R Bar, the Pickle Barrel, the American Legion and the Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery.
For the last week, investigators have been searching through the rubble, trying to piece together the events that led to the explosion.
( From March 11, 2009)
Officials continue to work around the clock to determine the cause of a deadly explosion in downtown Bozeman last week.
So far, they remain tight-lipped about what triggered a blast that leveled three historic buildings and killed one Bozeman woman. But Bozeman Fire Chief Jason Shrauger said the investigation is moving along in a timely manner.
Because the scene of the explosion is so large, it takes time for the investigators to do their job, Shrauger said. However, he hopes a cause will be released in a matter of days.
The explosion rocked downtown Bozeman last Thursday, killing Tara Reistad Bowman, 36, who was working in the Montana Trails Gallery at the time of the blast.
The gallery, Boodles, the Rocking R Bar, the American Legion, Lily Lu's and Tolstedt Architects were destroyed. Several other businesses in the area were damaged.
In addition to the on-going investigation, local fire bosses and crews are seeing more reports of possible gas leaks near downtown and in other areas of Bozeman.
Shrauger believes the incident has heightened people's awareness to the smell of gas. It is better to be safe than sorry, he said.
"We have seen a little bit of an increase in gas and odor investigation, but when a customer has a question, they should step outside, make the call to 911. That's what we're here for," he said.
The blast was reportedly felt all the way from Montana State University to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and witnesses in the area reported seeing the roof of the building fly hundreds of feet into the air.
The downtown community has been picking up the pieces bit-by-bit since the explosion and most businesses are now open and back in operation.
The body of Tara Reistad Bowman, 36, of Bozeman was recovered by searchers in the area shortly after noon Sunday.
Mrs. Bowman was an employee of Montana Trails Gallery and was in the building at the time of the explosion.
(From March 10, 2009)
Sorting out the economic impact of Thursday's explosion in downtown Bozeman continued as state and local officials met with members of the public Tuesday to give them some direction on what to do next.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion that was centered at Boodles restaurant at 215 East Main Street and rocked the city's downtown at about 8:12 a.m. Thursday, prompting an evacuation of the area.
Tuesday's meeting at the Bozeman Job Service was packed with employees, residents and business owners, searching for answers on where they can turn for assistance and guidance in the aftermath of Thursday's events.
"Business owners are very concerned with their employees. It's an emotional impact for people who own businesses and we want to try to help ease the emotional trauma. We're here to answer a lot of questions for a lot of different situations," said Sheena Wilson, department chief of staff for the governor's office.
Business owners were told to fill out an economic injury report with the Small Business Administration.
People who have lost their jobs or homes can access help at the Job Center.
The state has waived the conventional, week-long wait before people can begin to receive benefits.
Thursday morning's explosion and fire destroyed several businesses, including Boodles, Montana Trails Gallery, Lilly Lu's children's store and Tolstedt Architects. Some other buildings on Main Street were significantly damaged.
The blast was reportedly felt all the way from Montana State University to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and witnesses in the area reported seeing the roof of the building fly hundreds of feet into the air.
A two block radius of downtown Bozeman was immediately evacuated and officials have warned business owners, their employees and residents that Main Street could be shut down for days to come.
The downtown community has been picking up the pieces bit-by-bit since the explosion and most businesses are now open and back in operation.
The body of Tara Reistad Bowman, 36, of Bozeman was recovered by searchers in the area shortly after noon Sunday. She was positively identified by dental records, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Department.
Mrs. Bowman was an employee of Montana Trails Gallery and was in the building at the time of the explosion.
- Mark Martello reporting for Z7 in Bozeman.
