Minnehaha Academy Explosion: Preliminary Report Released

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The public now has answers on a what led up to a horrifying gas explosion that took two lives and seriously injured nine more at a school in Minneapolis earlier this month. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sharing details of the fatal explosion from its preliminary investigation. In a report released Monday, the NTSB announced the following details:

On Aug. 2, a building at Minnehaha Academy's north campus in Minneapolis was destroyed by a natural gas explosion. Ruth Berg and John Carlson, both dedicated staff members deeply cherished by the school community, were killed in the blast.

At the time of the explosion, two workers were installing new piping to support the relocation of gas meters from the basement of the building to the outside. Two new meters mounted on a wall were ready for the new piping to be connected.

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While workers were removing the existing piping, a full-flow natural gas line at pressure was opened. The workers were unable to mitigate the release of the gas, so they evacuated the area, NTSB reported.

A school maintenance worker heard and smelled the natural gas release and went to its source in the basement meter room where the workers had been. As he exited the basement, he made an announcement over his hand-held radio that there was gas in the building and to evacuate immediately.

As he made his radio announcement, he ran up the stairs and searched for occupants. Less than a minute later, the building exploded, NTSB stated.

Also read

• Minnehaha Explosion: 2 Confirmed Deaths
• Minnehaha Academy's Ruth Berg To Be Memorialized

About Minnehaha Academy

Minnehaha Academy, established in 1913, is a private Christian school that includes preschool through 12th grade. The academy has two campuses:

• The south campus for preschool through 8th graders
• The north campus for 9th through 12th graders.

The academy has about ninety faculty and an enrollment of over 800 students, according to NTSB's report. At the time of the explosion, the academy was in recess for summer vacation, but special summer activities were ongoing.

Parties to the investigation include the Minnesota Emergency Management Services, the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Minneapolis Police Department, CenterPoint Energy, the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and Master Mechanical.

Correction: This story previously misstated one of the victim's names

Image via City of Minnesota Deputy Fire Marshal's Office