Large explosion in Pine County; Natural gas affected in parts of Willow River and Sturgeon Lake

Willow River Explosion (Carlton County Fire News)

(Carlton County Fire News)

Willow River Explosion (Carlton County Fire News)

(Carlton County Fire News)

UPDATE:

The Pine County Sheriff’s Office say, “On Friday, January 16th, 2026, at approximately 1:43 pm, Pine County Dispatch was inundated with 911 calls of explosions.”

The calls were from a rural area west of Willow River.

Multiple residences near the explosion were asked to evacuate.

Several fire departments, EMS, and law enforcement were dispatched.

They determined it was a large gas line that exploded.

Members of the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety and State Fire Marshal divisions are responding to assist with the investigation.

Northern Natural Gas and first responders are currently on scene.

No reported injuries have been reported, and at this point nothing criminal is suspected .

Northern Natural Gas Company Deputy General Counsel Britany Shotkoski Tells FOX21, “Northern Natural Gas experienced a pipeline incident near Willow River, MN on January 16, 2026. The site of the incident has been secured, and this section of the pipeline system has been isolated. No injuries occurred and no threat to public safety currently exists. Northern Natural Gas is coordinating with authorities and is investigating the cause of the incident to safely restore service. We expect to begin repairs to the system later today.:

Minnesota Energy Resources say about 500 customers in and around Willow River and Sturgeon Lake will be without natural gas.  Due to the type of damage, service may not be fully restored for several days.

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PINE COUNTY, Min. –  The Pine County Sheriff’s Office says there has been an explosion near Willow River.

The are alerting the public to stay away.

The Sheriff’s Office said in statement, “For your safety and our responder’s safety, please avoid the areas northwest of Willow River at this time.”