Two men were injured Wednesday after an explosion at Allstate Peterbilt on Howard Drive in North Mankato.
Authorities responded to a report of a natural gas explosion and fire at the truck shop located at 2265 Howard Drive W. at 11:46 a.m.
Shop technicians were working on a West Central Sanitation garbage truck when the vehicle began leaking compressed natural gas and an explosion occurred, said North Mankato Police Chief Ross Gullickson.
“Employees began evacuating the building when natural gas came into contact with an unknown ignition source," he said.
One employee, a 59-year-old Ellendale man, was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul via helicopter for treatment of first- and second-degree burns. A 41-year-old Gibbon man injured his hand and was treated and released at the scene. Their names weren't available as of Wednesday evening.
Authorities closed Howard Drive near the site and remained on scene investigating. The blast left the exterior of the building visibly damaged.