Minnesota Energy Resources is alerting customers in Willow River, Sturgeon Lake, and Finlayson that they are lifting temperature restrictions on natural gas appliances following an explosion and damage to a Northern Natural Gas (NNG) interstate pipeline on Friday, January 20.
Around 650 customers lost service Friday afternoon and were provided a temporary supply of natural gas over the weekend. A 60 degree limit was put in place during that time. Minnesota Energy Resources states that NNG has now established a more permanent fuel supply.
NNG is continuing repair work on the pipeline and investigating the cause of the explosion while coordinating with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The pipeline will not be returned to service until it is safe.
RELATED: Willow River residents reconnected with temporary natural gas
RELATED: Authorities confirm gas line explosion in Willow River, multiple addresses evacuated
The Pine County Sheriff’s Office previously stated that nothing criminal is suspected and that no injuries were reported.
“There’s no reason to think there’s any more risk to people using their gas or anything like that,” said Pine County Sheriff Jeff Nelson. “They’re going to work on making sure that the customers in the affected area will have gas.”
