Edina home explosion rocks neighborhood, City

Editor’s Note:The Edina Fire Department has gathered information and completed its Post Incident Analysis (PIA) of the Feb. 23, 2010 home explosion at 5000 Arden Ave.

Click here to view the Post Incident Analysis of the Feb. 23 Home Explosion

Edina, Minn., March 1, 2010 – On Tuesday, Feb. 23, a home located in the 5000 block of Arden Avenue in Edina exploded as the result of a natural gas line rupture that occurred earlier in the day. No one was home at the time of the explosion and no one was injured.

The Edina Fire Department was first contacted at approximately 12:36 p.m. and alerted that a contractor had struck a CenterPoint Energy gas line while doing some directional underground drilling. The contractor, TD & I Cable Maintenance Inc., of Lakeland, Minn., was doing contract work for Qwest when workers struck the gas line. CenterPoint Energy reported that the lines had been properly located before TD & I began work in the area.

Edina firefighter/paramedics were called to the scene for precautionary measures while crews from CenterPoint Energy worked to repair the leak. West 50th Street between Wooddale and Halifax avenues was closed and access to 50th Street from Bruce and Arden avenues, Maple Road and Jay Place was cut off.

At approximately 2:41 p.m., the home located at 5000 Arden Ave. exploded. Fire crews already on scene began an initial attack of the fire. A number of police and fire personnel, including Edina’s Mutual Aid partners, responded to the scene. .

Officials believe that gas from the ruptured line entered the home through underground sewer lines and continued to fill the home until it reached explosive levels. The actual source of ignition is unknown.

CenterPoint Energy crews worked to shut off gas to the ruptured line and a number of small lines feeding into it. Homes in the area were checked for gas. At least one home had to be ventilated due to dangerous levels of natural gas inside.

Edina Fire crews continued to let the gas burn at the site of the home explosion until it could be completely shut off. According to Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer, it was much safer to let the gas burn than to escape into unknown areas. Fire crews from Edina and multiple agencies took shifts controlling the fire and containing it to the explosion site.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., crews were able shut off all gas lines and begin a second check of homes in the area for gas. Fire crews were then able to extinguish the fire. By 11:15 p.m., residents of all but one home were able to return. Officials first believed the home just south of the house that exploded was structurally uninhabitable, and the homeowner was advised not to stay there. The home has since been inspected and deemed safe to live in.

The home at 5000 Arden Ave. was completely destroyed. Some of the homes closest to the explosion sustained broken windows and other surface damage. Only a small number of homes in the area lost power and/or gas throughout the day and night, and heat was returned to every home by 1 a.m. Feb. 24.

A number of agencies responded to the scene, and included the Edina Fire Department, Edina Police Department, Edina Police Reserves, Edina Engineering & Public Works, Richfield Fire Department, St. Louis Park Fire Department, Hopkins Fire Department, Bloomington Fire Department, Eden Prairie Fire Department, Minnetonka Fire Department, Hennepin County Ambulance Service, Minnesota State Pipeline Safety, St. Louis Park Police Reserves, Plymouth Police Reserves, Hopkins Police Reserves, Salvation Army, CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy.

The homeowner’s dog was inside the house at the time of the explosion, but escaped with minor injuries. It was taken to a nearby veterinarian clinic for treatment.

A fund has been set up at the North American Banking Company to aid Matthew and Jeanette Auguston and family, who lost their home. Donations can be made to the Auguston Fund in care of North American Banking Company, 4999 France Ave., Suite 120, Minneapolis, MN 55410. Please write "Auguston Fund" in the memo line of the check.

For more information, contact Fire Chief Marty Scheerer, 952-826-0332.

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FEB. 23, 2010 EDINA HOME EXPLOSION FAQ	Download the frequently asked questions regarding the Feb. 23, 2010 home explosion on 5000 Arden Ave.
Post Incident Analysis	Click here to view the Edina Fire Department's Post Incident Analysis