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House explosion rocks south Minneapolis neighborhood

September 18, 2013 at 1:46PM

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A fourplex in south Minneapolis exploded Tuesday afternoon, sending a microwave and other debris flying outside.

Firefighters said they believe the house at 3043 Grand Av. S. was unoccupied at the time of the 4 p.m. explosion but said a dog was killed. Afterward, smoke poured from the house, which partly collapsed.

A cause was not yet known. Javier Guzman, who lives in the area, said he saw a work van in front of the house about 2:15 p.m.

Neighbor Christopher Wallin was in his apartment next door when he happened to look out the window.

"I heard an explosion and then a microwave flew out the window," he said.

Wallin said that he saw other debris fly out of the house and that a table was stuck half in and half out of a window. He saw a small fire and called 911.

Another neighbor, Ray Cloutier, said he was standing on his front porch one block away when he heard a loud noise.

"I heard two big explosions and I kind of felt it through my chest," he said.

MATT MCKINNEY

Firefighters battle a fire at 3043 Grand Ave S. in Minneapolis. (Stan Schmidt — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Neighbors watch firefighters at the scene of a house fire and explosion at Grand Ave. and 30th St. in south Minneapolis on Tuesday. (Stan Schmidt — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Firefighters are on the scene of a house fire and possible explosion in the near Grand Ave. and 30th St. in south Minneapolis on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013. (Colleen Kelly — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

On the scene: A neighbor heard an explosion, saw a small fire and saw a microwave fly out the window Tuesday, so he called 911. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)