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At Least 2 Dead After Natural Gas Explosion Rocks Minneapolis School

Authorities said the deadly blast occurred Wednesday morning at Minnehaha Academy, a private Christian school.
Posted at 8:41 AM, Aug 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-03 08:41:24-04

At least two people are dead and nine others injured after a natural gas explosion rocked a Minneapolis school.

"This is a day of extraordinary heartbreak," Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges told reporters.

Authorities said the deadly blast occurred Wednesday morning at Minnehaha Academy, a private Christian school. The explosion split one of the academy's buildings in two.

The school confirmed two administrative staff members were killed. Some students in the academy's summer program were on campus at the time of the explosion, but none of them were hurt.

Fire officials said the blast was triggered by contractors working on the building.

As of early Thursday, three people were still in the hospital. One of them is in critical condition.