Evacuation orders prompted by fire, explosion near U of M lifted

By KSTP

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People are allowed back into the area around University Avenue that was evacuated after an underground explosion and fire Thursday afternoon.

Firefighters and police responded to the area of 17th Avenue Southeast and University Avenue just before 3 p.m. for a fire in the basement of Delta Tau Delta fraternity house.

RELATED: MFD investigating possible gas spill in sewer line, fire in U of M frat house

Then, as crews worked to extinguish the fire, several reports of an explosion that blew manhole covers off the road along University Avenue were made.

The fire department reported the explosion indicated a possible gas spill in the sewer line.

Chopper 5 flies above University Avenue near the University of Minnesota campus on June 30, 2022, after reports of a fire and explosion in the area.

Authorities evacuated buildings along the University Avenue and Oak Street corridor between 10th and 19th streets.

Metro Transit buses acted as a temporary shelter for some of the people evacuating before they were cleared to return Thursday night.

City workers continued to flush out the sewer system Friday.

The fire department reported the source of the gas in the sewer system and the ignition source are currently unknown; the incident is under investigation.

The Metropolitan Council says its staff members are monitoring conditions across the sewer system at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant following the explosion.

“It is a stark reminder that the only thing that should go down the sewer besides human waste is toilet paper,” the council said in a statement cautioning residents to not put anything flammable down the sewer.

The council is still investigating the incident and coordinating with state and local officials.

Fire officials said no injuries had been reported.

Stay with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS and KSTP.com for updates on this developing news.