UPDATED: Explosion, Fire at Minnetonka Home

UPDATE: According to the city, was contacted about the water runoff challenges and possible Lake Minnetonka impacts as a result of the fire and the measures used to put out that fire. In response, the city brought in heavy equipment and removed debris from the site. 

****

ORIGINAL STORY: Just after one o’clock Friday afternoon a large explosion rocked a Minnetonka neighborhood. The explosion, on the property of a local home that was under construction, reportedly sent flames flying, causing that home to catch fire.  No one was injured in the explosion or in the 3-alarm fire that followed. 

The home, a total loss after flames completely consumed the structure, was located in the 16900 block of Grays Bay Boulevard in Minnetonka. Two construction workers were inside the home when the fire broke out but they were able to get out of the house, unharmed. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but officials have ruled out a natural gas explosion. One official said a propane tank on the property likely caught fire outside the house, and then exploded, spreading flames to the home. Today's windy conditions reportedly caused the fire to spread rapidly. 

Seventy-five firefighters from Minnetonka, Plymouth, Wayzata, St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Chanhassen got the 3-alarm blaze under control within a half-hour.

Multiple residents living near the fire reported hearing the large explosion that jolted the Lake Minnetonka neighborhood. Rick Richardson was in his home's basement, six doors down from the blaze, when he heard a loud "boom."

"The ground shook," he said, describing the explosion.

Julie Sturek, who lives four blocks from the scene, said her home’s windows rattled from the explosion.

Minnetonka fire crews were on the scene within five minutes of receiving an emergency call. Minnetonka Fire Chief Joe Wallin said crews made it to the fire so quickly because Minnetonka fire stations are staffed 24-hours-a-day. Minnetonka made this switch from "on-call firefighters" to "duty crews" two years ago.  Today, Wallin said that switch made a difference. 

“I’m serious. One more minute and that house next door would be gone,” Wallin said.

“That house next door” sustained only minor exterior damage—something its owner, who didn’t want to be named, told Minnetonka Patch he was very grateful for. Visibly shaken this afternoon, he said as soon as he heard the “explosion" which started the fire, he found his dog, got out of his house and called 911.