Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel confirms one person is dead and another unaccounted for following a gas explosion at Minnehaha Academy in south Minneapolis this morning. Nine others were transported to the hospital. Freuetel stills considers it a rescue operation. Family members confirm Ruth Berg was killed in the blast. She worked as a receptionist in the school’s business office. The other person still unaccounted for is believed to be a contract worker.
Full Press Conference:
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Earlier today:
Fire crews are conducting a search and rescue operation at a Minneapolis school where a gas leak caused an explosion. The blast led to a partial collapse at the Minnehaha Academy Upper School. Minneapolis Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner remarked that the number of people who are unaccounted for is down to two from three. He said the gas leak was due to construction at the site. He insisted that the rest of the building has been searched and cleared, so rescue operations are concentrated on the section that collapsed. Tyner says nine people were taken to the hospital, and three are in critical condition.
Jacob Swanson works in the admissions department at the school:
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