Hundreds evacuated from Rogers [MN] apartment complex after explosion
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
A propane-fueled auxiliary heating unit pressed into service because of the extreme cold exploded Sunday morning outside an apartment complex in Rogers. No one was injured.
Residents in The Preserve at Commerce, a 192-unit complex at 13600 Commerce Blvd., were knocked off their feet, glass from shattered windows was embedded in opposite walls and people from as far away as a mile said their houses shook, Rogers Police Chief Jeff Beahen said.
The initial explosion happened about 8:45 a.m., and subsequent explosions and fireballs reportedly four- to five-stories high continued for another 35 to 40 minutes, Beahen said, until the fuel valve was located and turned off.
All 192 units 400 to 500 residents were evacuated until building inspectors could say that the building was safe. Some residents drove off. Others were housed at the Hampton Inn, across the street, then moved to the nearby Rogers 18 movie theater. About 125 residents were there enjoying movies until midafternoon, Beahen said. The Red Cross and Salvation Army were assisting residents.
Read more: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/238792941.html
The AP has reported on this story.
The year began in Minneapolis with an apartment explosion and fire. What is going ON in Minnesota and exploding apartments?
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)MINUS 18 in MSP.
Brrrrr.
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)it's -20° air temp and -44° wind chill here
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)My first thought, after seeing the title, was that it was an angry Green Bay Packers' fan bombing Rogers' apartment (Rogersa brilliant QBbeing the GB Packers quarterback...and they lost at home to the SF 49'rs).
TBF
(32,102 posts)in luxury. He is one of the highest paid NFL members. He's not in a low-income apartment in Minneapolis.
And Green Bay fans are loyal - we would be after SF players not our own.
By the way, I like the 49'rs, but also the Packers. I love watching Rodgers play and the energy behind the Packers fans, so the game was a toss up for me.
TBF
(32,102 posts)why these explosions happened. It shouldn't be up to the Red Cross to bail out negligent landlords.