Explosion reported at Weyerhaeuser plant

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls residents near the Weyerhaeuser plant reported hearing an explosion coming from the facility late Wednesday evening.

According to sources with connections to the Weyerhaeuser medium density fiberboard (MDF) plant, the employees who were on shift at the time were all reportedly accounted for.

One employee estimated the explosion happened around 8 p.m. He said employees work 12 hour shifts beginning at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., meaning the explosion allegedly happened soon after the night shift crew came on.

Some Columbia Falls residents reported seeing smoke soon after the explosion.

Weyerhaeuser officials were not immediately able to provide any details.

Daily Inter Lake reporters arrived at the facility around 8:45 p.m. but were not allowed to enter the facility. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.