A work crew installing fiber-optic cable punctured an underground natural gas pipeline, causing the explosion.

[1] The blast killed four people, injured 11, and destroyed five buildings.

[2] The total damage was estimated at $399,000.

An NTSB report on the incident faulted the safety and emergency practices of Cable Constructors, Inc., whose employees punctured the gas line, and the procedures and training of the St.

Cloud fire department for responding to gas leaks.