Hermantown Green Acres Explosion Destroys Building, Kills Two Residents

An explosion and fire flattened a six‑unit building at the Green Acres complex, 5064 Jennifer Circle in Hermantown, killing two elderly residents and damaging nearby units in a blast that could be heard across the area. The event forced an evacuation, left multiple apartments unsafe to occupy and prompted a large multi‑agency emergency response.

Hermantown Police Department and Fire Department crews responded within minutes after 911 dispatchers received reports at 6:21 p.m. Saturday. Police were on scene by 6:24 p.m. and Hermantown Fire arrived by 6:30 p.m., officials said. Hermantown Police Chief Jim Crace called the incident “the most widespread response we have had in my tenure here,” and said the explosion could be heard as far as 12 miles away. “Lots of heroes last night, both on the police, fire, and civilian side,” Crace added.

Chief Crace described catastrophic structural damage. “The explosion blew the top off of the six‑unit building, causing major structural collapse. The building is a total loss. Dozens of windows surrounding the explosion site were also broken,” he said. Flames followed the blast; crews battled fires at the destroyed building while some flames and a burning gas leak affected surrounding units before utilities were secured. Firefighters and mutual aid units from Duluth, Proctor and personnel from the Air National Guard joined Hermantown crews, with St. Louis County Emergency Management coordinating additional support.

Hermantown Police Department shared the names of the two residents who died as Gayle Nelsen, 89, and Joan Wisneski, 88. One missing resident was located about 10:00 p.m. Saturday and the other around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, officials said. No other injuries were reported.

Most residents evacuated from Green Acres were allowed to return around midnight, though city officials and county partners later said several adjacent buildings remained unsafe for occupancy. As of Sunday afternoon eight people remained displaced; the Red Cross and St. Louis County Public Health Department have been assisting with temporary housing and other needs.

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office has opened an investigation into the cause of the explosion, and city officials urged patience while investigators and utility crews complete their work. City of Hermantown statements noted flames were concentrated on the one six‑unit structure, but officials and response leaders also described broken windows and damage to nearby units and a protracted utility response.

The blast and its aftermath have immediate public health and housing implications for local residents - a total loss of housing for neighbors, disruptions to gas and electric service, and trauma for survivors and first responders. St. Louis County and the Red Cross remain the primary contacts for displaced residents seeking shelter or recovery assistance while the city and state agencies sort out safety and next steps.

Authorities say more details, including findings from the State Fire Marshal and confirmation of victim information, will be released as they are verified. For now, the community is focused on recovery, support for the families who lost loved ones and restoring safety to the Green Acres neighborhood.