HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A Saturday evening explosion at a six-plex building left two residents dead and eight others displaced in a tragic incident that reverberated through the community. The blast, which occurred around 6:21 p.m., was powerful enough to be heard over a distance of 12 miles, according to local authorities.
The victims were identified as Gayle Nelsen, 89, and Joan Wisneski, 88. Remarkably, no additional injuries were reported due to the explosion, but the aftermath left a significant impact on local residents and emergency responders.
Hermantown Police Chief Jim Crace described the situation as “complete chaos” as officers worked swiftly to assess the scene. “It basically blew the top right off of the building,” he noted, emphasizing the magnitude of the explosion. Jim Delmore, a nearby resident, likened the sound to a “sonic boom” that rattled his home, highlighting the event’s intensity.
Emergency responders arrived minutes after the blast, with 40 firefighters from several agencies, including Duluth and Proctor, joining Hermantown’s crews to tackle the situation. “We couldn’t do what was done last night on our own,” said Crace, underscoring the collaborative effort required during the emergency.
Numerous additional personnel contributed to the response, including members of the Duluth Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol, among others. Crace commended the first responders for their bravery, noting, “These folks are heroes.” He specifically recognized a civilian who helped to extricate individuals from the rubble, illustrating the community’s spirit during the crisis.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation by the state fire marshal, as authorities sift through the debris. Crace acknowledged the challenge of accounting for all residents in the immediate aftermath, saying that ensuring everyone’s safety was a daunting task. By nightfall, officials were cautiously optimistic after narrowing the search to the two individuals ultimately found in the wreckage.
The explosion also had a ripple effect on neighboring buildings, with shattered windows reported across the area. Utility services like gas and electricity were disrupted for approximately three and a half hours as safety measures were put in place.
Despite the tragic loss, Crace recalled a few light moments during the evening, including the discovery of a missing dog that had escaped the chaos. However, he remained somber about the human toll of the night’s events. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the victims,” he said, reflecting on the deep sense of loss felt in the community.
As recovery efforts continue, residents are coming together to support one another in the wake of this heartrending incident. The investigation into the cause of the explosion aims to provide answers and prevent future tragedies.