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Bemidji Today
By the People, for the People
Explosion Rocks Bemidji Neighborhood After Structure Fire
No injuries reported after propane tanks explode during blaze on Bixby Avenue
Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:41pm
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A raging fire consumes a small building, highlighting the raw power and unpredictability of natural disasters that can strike any community.Bemidji TodayA structure fire in Bemidji, Minnesota caused multiple explosions on Thursday afternoon as propane tanks inside the building experienced a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion). The Bemidji Fire Department responded to the blaze on Bixby Avenue Northwest around 2:25 p.m. and found the detached building fully engulfed in flames. Two buildings were destroyed and several others sustained moderate damage, but no injuries were reported.
Why it matters
Explosions caused by propane tanks during structure fires are a serious hazard that can put firefighters and nearby residents at risk. This incident highlights the importance of proper storage and handling of pressurized gas containers, as well as the need for fire departments to be prepared to respond to these types of dangerous situations.
The details
According to the Bemidji Fire Department, the reported explosion sounds were caused by propane tanks that experienced a BLEVE, which occurs when a pressurized tank is exposed to extreme heat, causing the propane inside to expand until the container fails violently and rapidly. It took 28 firefighters four hours to extinguish the blaze, which destroyed two buildings and damaged a vehicle and home.
- The fire department responded to the blaze around 2:25 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
- The explosions occurred shortly after firefighters arrived on the scene.
The players
Bemidji Fire Department
The local fire department that responded to the structure fire and propane tank explosions.
What they’re saying
“This occurs when a pressurized tank is exposed to extreme heat, causing the propane inside to expand until the container fails violently and rapidly.”
— Bemidji Fire Department
What’s next
The fire department is continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze, but initial indications suggest it started by accident.
The takeaway
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by propane tanks during structure fires, and the importance of proper storage and handling of pressurized gas containers to protect both firefighters and nearby residents.
