Neighbor reacts to Hermantown housing complex explosion

February 2, 2026

Paige Hansen,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A next door neighbor to a housing complex explosion in Hermantown shared how he found out, further saying the loss is devastating.

“I have a friend of mine who works for the city of Hermantown, that texted me and he said are you okay? And I’m like, okay, what do you mean? And then he called me and said that there had been an explosion here, and was on a unaware of details at that point,” neighbor John Hartwick said.

The explosion was reported around 6:20 p.m. Jan. 31 at the complex known as Green Acres at 5064 Jennifer Circle.

The two victims who died are identified as 89-year-old Gayle Nelson and 88-year-old Joan Wisneski.

Hartwick, a neighbor to the complex was at work when the explosion took place and didn’t get word on the state of his unit until around midnight that night.

Neighbors to the explosion gathered at the Hermantown City Hall while crews worked to contain the fire.

Hartwick’s unit was undamaged, apart from several pictures falling off the walls.

“Just devastation. I mean, obviously it’s just so scary that something like this happened so close to, I mean, literally, right next door to me, and for the two ladies that that lost their lives, I mean, it’s just, it’s terrible, you know,” Hartwick said.

The flames were contained to the single six-unit building where the explosion happened.

Neighbors and community members have left flowers near the damaged complex, Hartwick said it’s a testament to the neighborhoods tight knit community.

“This is a very nice neighborhood, a tight, tight knit community. A lot of elderly people that live here, I think I’m one of the younger ones, I’ve been here 10 years, and it’s just, it’s a very nice place to live,” Hartwick said.

The St. Louis County Emergency Management the Red Cross provided critical aid and arranged housing options for residents not able to return to the homes.