The Latest: School: Students, staff safe after explosion

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on an explosion and partial building collapse at a Minneapolis school (all times local):

1:10 p.m.

School officials say all students and staff are safe following an explosion at a private college prep school in Minneapolis, though authorities say two people remain unaccounted for.

The Minneapolis Fire Department says a gas explosion caused the blast and partial building collapse Wednesday at Minnehaha Academy. Fire officials say contractors were working on the building at the time.

Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner says two people are unaccounted for and one person suffered critical injuries in the blast.

The school released a statement saying all of its summer program students and staff “are accounted for and safe.”

The private Christian school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

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12:45 p.m.

Fire officials say a gas explosion caused a fire and partial building collapse at a college prep school in Minneapolis.

The explosion was reported Wednesday at Minnehaha Academy, a private Christian school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner says two people are unaccounted for and one person suffered critical injuries in the blast. Fire officials say contractors were working on the building at the time.

The Star Tribune reports city records show that Master Mechanical Inc. was issued a permit on June 7 for gas piping and hooking up a meter at the school.

A company official released a statement saying it was monitoring the situation and referring all questions to the Minneapolis Fire Department. He wouldn’t confirm to The Associated Press that company workers were on site, saying: “We are trying to figure it out.”

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12:15 p.m.

Authorities say two people are unaccounted for after an explosion and partial building collapse at a grade school in Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis Fire Department initially tweeted that one fatality was reported in the collapse at Minnehaha Academy. But fire officials haven’t been able to confirm that report, and Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner says officials are backing off that statement.

Tyner says three people were rescued from the roof, and another person initially believed missing was found unhurt. He says crews are searching for two missing people who may be trapped in the rubble.

Police say five people were taken to a hospital with injuries, including one who has since been released.

Minnehaha Academy is a Christian college prep school, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

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11:35 a.m.

Fire officials say three people are unaccounted for after an explosion and partial building collapse at a Minneapolis school.

The Minneapolis Fire Department initially tweeted that one fatality was reported in Wednesday’s collapse at Minnehaha Academy. But fire officials haven’t been able to confirm that report, and Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner says they are backing off that statement.

Tyner says three people were rescued from the building’s roof. He says crews are searching for others who might be trapped in the rubble, including three people who are unaccounted for. He didn’t immediately know when the missing are adults or children.

He says it appears the explosion might have been caused by a ruptured gas line, but that the investigation is ongoing.

Minnehaha Academy is a Christian college prep school, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

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11:10 a.m.

Fire officials are responding to a building collapse in Minneapolis and trying to determine whether anyone is dead.

The Minneapolis Fire Department tweeted that one fatality has been reported in Wednesday’s collapse, but fire officials haven’t been able to confirm that death.

Police and firefighters are on the scene at Minnehaha Academy. Authorities say crews are extinguishing a fire and searching for possible victims.