Longtime Whitefish builder Casey Malmquist is in stable condition at a St. Paul, Minn., hospital after suffering extensive burns when a house exploded Monday evening in Williston, N.D.

Malmquist was airlifted to Regions Hospital and had surgery on Tuesday, according to Malmquist Construction Office Manager Janene Adams.

Williston Rural Fire Chief Dave Benth said neighbors called 911 after witnessing the blast about 6:30 p.m. Monday evening. Malmquist was doing some work on the home west of Williston and was on the back deck when the explosion occurred.

The Rural Fire Department and the Williams County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. North Dakota’s state fire marshal is investigating, the Associated Press said. Other news reports said a propane bottle near the home may have been to blame, but noted the exact cause is still under investigation.

Malmquist reportedly suffered second- and third-degree burns in the blast and subsequent fire.

Malmquist started building homes for Halliburton Energy Services more than three years ago to help provide work-force housing amid the flurry of oil activity in the Bakken oil fields in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota.

He was among many local contractors who headed to the Williston Basin when the economic downturn in the Flathead Valley brought construction activity nearly to a standstill for several years.

Malmquist is well-known in the Flathead Valley as a high-end home builder. He became acquainted with Dave Lesar, Halliburton president and chief executive officer, when he built a home for Lesar in Whitefish. As it became difficult for Halliburton to find housing for its workers, Lesar asked Malmquist to start building houses in Williston.

Malmquist Construction employs five project managers in the Williston area and numerous subcontractors, Adams said. 

With construction activity picking up in the Flathead, Malmquist has four or five home starts here, Adams said, and has been splitting his time between Whitefish and Williston.

It’s unknown how long Malmquist will be hospitalized; well-wishers may send cards and notes of encouragement to Malmquist at Regions Hospital, Suite C 5400, 640 Jackson St., St. Paul, MN 55101.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.