Update…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  –  Hundreds of people packed a campus chapel to pray and comfort each other at the Minneapolis school where two people were killed and more than a-half dozen others were hurt in an explosion and partial building collapse.

Minnehaha Academy President Donna Harris, who was injured in Wednesday’s explosion and collapse, encouraged those gathered at the campus of the Christian school Wednesday night to trust God and they will get through the ordeal.

The blast, fire and collapse Wednesday morning occurred in the upper school. Minnehaha Academy said the explosion killed Ruth Berg, the school’s receptionist for 17 years. Fire officials said her body was found about 2 p.m. and a second body, believed to be that of school janitor John Carslon, was pulled from the rubble about 8 p.m.

Four people remained hospitalized with injuries, including one in critical condition.

 

Previously…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —  School officials say all students and staff are safe following an explosion, Wednesday at a private college prep school in Minneapolis, though authorities say two people remain unaccounted for.

The Minneapolis Fire Department says a gas explosion caused the blast and partial building collapse Wednesday at Minnehaha Academy. Fire officials say contractors were working on the building at the time.

Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner says two people are unaccounted for and one person suffered critical injuries in the blast.

The school released a statement saying all of its summer program students and staff “are accounted for and safe.”

The private Christian school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.