Emergency personnel respond to explosion near Willow River

Emergency personnel responded to an explosion near Willow River on Friday afternoon.

According to a news release from the Pine County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting explosions around 1:45 p.m.

An explosion was reported in a rural area west of Willow River.

Law enforcement, EMS personnel, and several fire departments were dispatched to the scene, and determined a larger gas line was involved. 

The damaged line was a Northern Natural Gas interstate pipeline, which provides natural gas to the Minnesota Energy Resources system.

Multiple addresses in proximity to the explosion were asked to evacuate. No injuries were reported, and nothing criminal is suspected at this time.

According to an update from Minnesota Energy Resources on Saturday, temporary service was restored to nearly all customers near Willow River, Sturgeon Lake, and Finlayson.

Permanent service may not be restored for several days.