2 people with 'significant injuries' after explosion in NE Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Two employees were taken to the hospital with significant injuries following an explosion at a large commercial building in northeast Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon. 

The explosion occurred at a building on the 600 block of 2nd Street Southeast that is home to Metal-Matic, a metal processing company. The bulk of the fire was knocked down by 3:08 p.m. and all other occupants of the building were safely evacuated. 

Minneapolis Fire Department Assistant Chief of Administration Bryan Tyner said the victims' injuries were mostly burns, but possibly some cuts and abrasions from the force of the explosion. 

Tyner said the explosion appeared to have originated with a dust collector that can be "very explosive."

"It's not common, but it's very possible," Tyner said of the dust collector as the catalyst for the explosion. 

Right now, fire crews are checking the systems and making sure everything is shut down in the building while they secure it. He said the system likely sustained some damage.