The Latest: Rescue Crews Try To Stabilize Collapsed Building

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Latest on an explosion and partial building collapse at a Minneapolis school.

Minneapolis firefighters are trying to stabilize a partially collapsed school building in order to locate a man believed to be buried under the rubble.

Authorities say a fatal natural gas explosion Wednesday sparked a fire and partially collapsed a building at the Minnehaha Academy. The private Christian school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

The school says longtime receptionist Ruth Berg died in the blast, and that janitor John Carlson remained unaccounted for Wednesday evening.

Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel says he's hopeful Carlson is alive. Fruetel says he's treating the search as a rescue operation.
Fruetel says it's possible a void was created when the building collapsed. He says the building is unstable and noted that making it safe for rescuers will take time.