Worker hospitalized overnight as precaution after explosion at oil field facility in ND

Authorities investigate blast at ND oilfield

LIGNITE, N.D. — Authorities are investigating the cause of an explosion at a Bear Paw Energy natural gas processing facility just east of Lignite.

Company spokeswoman Megan (MEE’-gun) Washbourne says the blast occurred about 8 p.m. Wednesday. She says the lone male worker at the site was kept overnight at a Crosby hospital as a precaution and released Thursday.

Washbourne says a damage estimate is not yet available. She says the facility is expected to be back online in the next couple of days.

Washbourne says the explosion did not threaten the public or do any damage to the environment.