For Immediate Release – February 1, 2026
Explosion in Hermantown in Residential Area
Hermantown, Minn. – An explosion within a multi-unit housing complex in Hermantown required the support of more than a dozen responding agencies and resulted in significant property damage and the loss of two lives.
The initial call regarding the explosion was received at 6:21 p.m. on January 31, with multiple responding agencies reaching the site at 5064 Jennifer Circle within minutes. The severity of the fire required not only the efforts of the Hermantown Fire Department, but also the Duluth Fire Department, Proctor Fire Department, the 148th Air Guard Fire Department, Canosia Volunteer Fire Department, Fredenberg Volunteer Fire Department, and Hermantown Public Works.
An evacuation notice for residents of the housing complex – known as Green Acres – was issued, with shelter and reunification efforts held at Hermantown’s City Hall.
The coordinated efforts of multiple fire departments contained the blaze to a single six-unit building where the explosion occurred. The explosion itself, though, caused damage to the adjacent buildings.
Sadly, two people perished in the event. Gayle Nelsen, age 89, and Joan Wisneski, age 88, were both residents of the building where the explosion occurred.
The cause of the explosion and information regarding the subsequent fire are under investigation with the Minnesota State Fire Marshal.
Supporting the Hermantown Police Department with additional on-site coordination and support was the Duluth Police Department, Proctor Police Department, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, St. Louis County Search and Rescue, St. Louis County 911 Emergency Communications, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The sum of these efforts allowed the majority of Green Acres residents to return to their homes around midnight.
The building where the explosion and fire occurred is a total loss, and the closest units in neighboring buildings are not yet safe for residents to return. At this time, no additional injuries have been reported.
St. Louis County Emergency Management and the Red Cross provided critical aid and arranged housing options for residents unable to return to their homes. Additional medical support was provided by Mayo Ambulance and Life Link.
The HFD and HPD extend their condolences to all who have been affected, especially the families and friends of Gayle Nelsen and Joan Wisneski.
No additional information is available at this time, as this is an ongoing investigation.
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For more information, contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications Director, City of Hermantown, at [email protected] or 218.729.3600.