Home Explosion in Grant Valley Township

The Bemidji Fire Department, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, and the Minnesota 

State Fire Marshal's Office continue to investigate the cause of a house explosion on 

Monday evening in Grant Valley Township. The cause does appear to be accidental 

in nature and investigators believe it may be related to a propane gas leak in the 

home. 

On Monday evening emergency responders arrived on scene to find an occupied 

home that was totally destroyed. Emergency services personnel located and quickly 

removed one victim from the debris who was in the home at the time of the 

explosion. He was transport to Sanford Hospital by ambulance. We have no 

additional information on his current status.

FATAL PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT IN BELTRAMI COUNTY

On January 21, 2015 at approximately 7:59 PM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was notified of a crash in the 16000 block of Roosevelt Rd SE located in southeastern Beltrami County involving a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe with a snowplow and a pedestrian who had been struck by the vehicle.  Deputies and first responders who arrived at the scene found the victim on the side of the road.  The victim, a 32 year old male was unresponsive and immediate efforts were undertaken to save his life.  Bemidji Ambulance EMT's arrived on-scene and took over lifesaving efforts to no avail.  The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.  His identity will not be disclosed at this time until all relatives have been notified.

 

The investigation revealed the vehicle had been driving northbound and the victim was walking southbound along the west side of the road with two other parties when according to a witness the victim suddenly ran across the southbound lane into the path of the northbound vehicle and was struck.  The driver of the vehicle did not see the pedestrian as the victim was dressed in dark clothing.

 

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Pike Bay Township Police Department, Leech Lake Tribal Police, Cass County Sheriff's Office, Cass Lake Fire Department, the Minnesota State Patrol, and Bemidji Ambulance.  This case remains under investigation. 

 

Additional information will be released at 4PM today.