Columbia Falls man dies in shop explosion

One man is dead and another injured after a shop exploded and burned on Kokanee Bend in Columbia Falls on Tuesday evening.

Steve Hanson was killed in the blaze at the shop at his home, and his best friend and neighbor, Paul Mason, was severely injured, according to Tyler Hanson, who is Steve Hanson’s son.

A neighbor was able to pull Mason out of the fire, people on the scene said Tuesday night. Mason was flown to a hospital in Seattle.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles. 

Steve Hanson is co-owner and manager of Hanson Trucking in Columbia Falls. 

Kokanee Bend is a neighborhood south of Columbia Falls near the Flathead River. The sound of the explosion could be heard in town. 

Bad Rock, Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse Fire Departments responded to the blaze, which happened about 6:03 p.m., said Bad Rock Fire Chief Kirk Katzenmeyer.

The explosion sent debris about 75 yards from the garage and broke out windows into the adjacent house, said Columbia Falls Fire Chief Karl Weeks, who is also the fire investigator. 

While there was an explosion, officials aren't sure what or how it was caused. No foul play is suspected, Weeks added. Fire investigators examined the scene Wednesday morning, along with the Flathead County Sheriff's Department.

Katzenmeyer said firefighters were on the scene for hours and finally left the hall about 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

Tyler Hanson said his father was a mechanic and enjoyed restoring vehicles, particularly older model Ford pickups. There were several in the driveway. 

Hanson Trucking is a major business in Columbia Falls. It was founded by Skip Hanson, Steve’s father, in 1991 and has about 55 employees. The company hauls chips and wood material from mills in Canada to the Weyerhaeuser MDF plant in Columbia Falls, according to the company website.