MINNEAPOLIS, MN (RNN) - An explosion apparently caused by a gas leak has reduced the middle section of Minnehaha Academy to a pile of smoking rubble.
The school confirmed that a gas leak caused the massive explosion.
There are three people unaccounted for and one unconfirmed fatality. Five have been taken to the hospital, TV station CBS Minneapolis. reported.
Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner told the Associated Press that three people were rescued from the building's roof. Rescuers are searching for and extracting victims.
Firefighting crews are on the scene extinguishing the fire.
School is not scheduled to begin until Aug. 23, but programs involving students were underway. Students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade attend the Christian college preparatory school. The explosion happened in the upper school, which is the high school.
One parent told the station that construction was going on in the building.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Drayton said the state is in touch with local authorities and the state stands ready "to provide any and all resources necessary to aid first responders" and victims, according to WCCO.
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