BREAKING: Receptionist dead after blast hits Minneapolis school
- August 3, 2017 01H:12 GMT/UTC/ZULU TIME
- From the section
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Minneapolis school partially collapses in explosion
by Abdi Kadel and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Minneapolis, USA
A Minnesota school receptionist has been killed in an explosion that partially levelled the building and injured nine others, officials say.
Ruth Berg, 47, who was engaged to be married, was found by search crews in the rubble of Minnehaha Academy in the city of Minneapolis.
One other person, 82-year-old school janitor John Carlson, is still missing after Wednesday morning's blast.
Investigators suspect natural gas caused the explosion.
Image copyright
RUTH BERG / FACEBOOK
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Ms Berg had worked at the school for 17 years
School officials said in a Facebook post that Ms Berg had worked there for 17 years.
"As our receptionist, she welcomed everyone with a smile and was always willing to go the extra mile to help our students, families, and staff," they wrote.
"She will be greatly missed. Please keep Ruth's family, and our school community, in your prayers."
Rescuers plucked three people from the roof after the explosion, which set part of the building ablaze.
Medics said three people were in a critical condition, four in a serious condition and two had "minor trauma".
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REUTERS
Mr Carlson, the missing janitor, was a 1953 graduate of Minnehaha Academy who also sent his children there, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
He began his caretaker job at the school in 2003 and was known for his generosity in handing out ice cream bars to staff and students.
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Labels: Abdi Kadel and Biodun Iginla, bbc news, John Carlson, Minneapolis school,Minnehaha Academy, Ruth Berg