Updated Jan. 24

A hydrocarbon release at Calumet Montana Refining closed Smelter Avenue in the area for several hours.

Calumet said in a release at 10:21 p.m. Jan. 23 that it acknowledged “an incident has taken place at the plant.”

As a precaution, Calumet said Smelter Avenue was closed between 6th Street Northeast and 10th Street Northeast.

In a release, Calumet said “the situation is being investigated with the aid of applicable agencies.”

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Lanni Klasner, Calumet spokeswoman, told The Electric that Calumet was working with Great Falls Fire Rescue and Great Falls Police Department, and that the city manager and City Commission had been notified.

On Friday morning, Calumet said the situation was cleared.

Around 8 p.m. Jan. 23, employees responded to a leak and removed the affected equipment from service, according to Calumet.

While that response was underway, Calumet requested that the city close Smelter Avenue as a precaution.

“The incident resulted in no injuries, and all other refinery operations continued as normal. While some odors were detected near the plant, air monitoring confirmed that no unsafe levels were present. There is no risk to public health or the environment. Initial cleanup has been completed, and Calumet Montana Refining thanks the City of Great Falls for its assistance with the temporary road closure and for its partnership between the refinery and city first responders,” according to a Calumet release.