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Explosion at Minneapolis apartment building sends at least 12 to hospital Explosion at Minneapolis apartment building sends at least 13 to hospital
(about 1 hour later)
A fire has engulfed several apartment units in Minneapolis, and authorities say at least a dozen people have been hurt. A billowing fire engulfed a three-story building near downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, sending 13 people to hospitals with injuries ranging from burns to trauma associated with falls.
Robert Ball of Hennepin County emergency medical services said at least 12 people were injured Wednesday. He told KARE-TV that the victims were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from burns to trauma suffered from falling or jumping from windows. Officials said six of those injuries were critical, but no fatalities were reported.
An explosion was reported about 8:15 am, and within minutes a fire raged through the building, said Robert Ball, a spokesman for Hennepin County emergency medical services. Paramedics responded to find victims on the ground, some with injuries that suggested they may have fallen multiple stories.
"It's not clear whether people were pushed out of the building from the explosion or whether they fell or jumped out of windows to escape," he said.
NEW PICTURE: Raging 2 alarm fire at 5th & Cedar Ave S in Minneapolis. Rescues Underway. #WCCO http://t.co/4zOYfVFlrB pic.twitter.com/WiXJ82D51DNEW PICTURE: Raging 2 alarm fire at 5th & Cedar Ave S in Minneapolis. Rescues Underway. #WCCO http://t.co/4zOYfVFlrB pic.twitter.com/WiXJ82D51D
Plumes of thick, grey smoke could be seen rising from the building. Firefighters are on the scene, but their efforts are being hampered by sub-zero temperatures. Authorities weren't sure whether any residents were still inside. Assistant Minneapolis Fire Chief Cherie Penn said the roof had partially collapsed, and it was too dangerous for firefighters to enter and sweep the premises.
Greg Nelson of the Minneapolis emergency communications centre said the building contains apartments, a grocery store and a mosque. He told the Minneapolis Star Tribune the fire was reported about 8.15am following an explosion. Penn said 13 people were taken to local hospitals, and six were considered to be critically hurt.
Plumes of thick, whitish-gray smoke could be seen rising from the building, which has a grocery store on the ground floor and two levels of apartments above it. Flames could be seen through third-story windows, and the frigid air was filled was the acrid smell of smoke.
Firefighting efforts were being hampered by the sub-zero temperatures. As firefighters aimed their hoses at the flames, water gushed from windows and doorways, forming icicles on window frames and leaving the street slick and icy.
The facade of the building and trees out front were also coated with a layer of ice.
Ball said the frosty conditions were creating an additional set of hazards for the 55 firefighters on the scene.
"While heat-related illnesses are common for firefighters, now you combine that with the rapid onset of frostbite or hypothermia when they come out and they're wet and exposed to bitter cold temperatures," he said.
Outgoing Minneapolis mayor RT Rybak told reporters he was "deeply concerned" about the fire.
"I'm also deeply grateful for the firefighters and other crews who came out here and kept it from getting worse," he said.
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