FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE! Minneapolis elementary school roof collapses after a massive explosion

A team from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Minneapolis on Thursday to investigate a natural gas explosion that killed two people and injured nine at a city school.



NTSB spokesman Christopher Hart told reporters that the agency, through its Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations, has jurisdiction due to reports that Master Mechanical, a contracting company, may have been moving a gas meter before the explosion happened.


The blast at Minnehaha Academy on Wednesday was caused by contractors doing work on the building, Minneapolis Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner said.


Two floors in the center section of the building collapsed over a sub-basement, Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel said, and there was heavy damage all through the school. The structural integrity of the building is still in question.


The school identified the dead as receptionist Ruth Berg and staff member John Carlson.


Berg worked for the academy for 17 years, the school said in a statement. "As our receptionist, she welcomed everyone with a smile and was always willing to go the extra mile to help our students, families, and staff," the statement read. "She will be greatly missed. Please keep Ruth's family, and our school community, in your prayers."