- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Deadly Explosion Rocks Duluth-Area Housing Complex
Two elderly residents killed in blast that destroyed one building and forced evacuation of entire complex.
Published on Feb. 1, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A deadly explosion ripped through a multiunit housing complex near Duluth, Minnesota on Saturday night, killing two elderly residents and destroying one building. The blast was followed by a fire that was contained to the single six-unit structure, while the entire Green Acres housing complex was evacuated as a precaution.
Why it matters
This tragic incident has shaken the Duluth community, raising concerns about the safety of aging housing infrastructure and the vulnerability of elderly residents. The investigation into the cause of the explosion will be closely watched, as officials work to determine if this was an isolated incident or if there are broader safety issues that need to be addressed.
The details
According to officials, the explosion and fire occurred around 6:20 pm on Saturday at the Green Acres housing complex in Hermantown, just outside of Duluth. The victims were identified as 89-year-old Gayle Wisnecki and 88-year-old Joan Wisnecki, who perished in the blast. The building where the explosion took place was completely destroyed, while adjacent structures were deemed unsafe for occupancy, though most residents were eventually allowed to return home.
- The explosion and fire were reported around 6:20 pm on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
- As of Sunday evening, February 2, 2026, the majority of residents had been allowed to return to their homes, though some adjacent buildings remained unsafe for occupancy.
The players
Gayle Wisnecki
An 89-year-old resident of the Green Acres housing complex who was killed in the explosion.
Joan Wisnecki
An 88-year-old resident of the Green Acres housing complex who was killed in the explosion.
Hermantown Fire Department
The local fire department that responded to the explosion and fire, along with other emergency personnel.
Minnesota Air National Guard
Emergency responders who assisted in the response to the incident.
State Fire Marshal's Office
The agency investigating the cause of the deadly explosion.
What’s next
The State Fire Marshal's Office is continuing its investigation into the cause of the explosion, with the goal of determining if there are any broader safety issues that need to be addressed in the region's aging housing stock.
The takeaway
This devastating incident underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and security of elderly residents, particularly in older housing complexes. As the investigation unfolds, community leaders will likely need to re-evaluate emergency preparedness plans and explore ways to improve the safety and resilience of the region's critical infrastructure.
