One body identified from Cedar-Riverside fire debris

A body recovered at the site of a building explosion and fire in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood was identified as Ahmed Farah Ali, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office said late Friday.

Ali, 57, was one of two people unaccounted for from the New Year's Day fire. A second body was found in the destroyed building but the identity has not yet been made public.

Family members had been looking for Ali and are still looking for 60-year-old Mrimri Jama Farah.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but it appears the building explosion likely originated on the second or third floor and could have been caused by a gas leak, Fire Chief John Fruetel said.

Centerpoint Energy officials say no gas leak was detected in their system, but have not ruled out a leak inside the building.

The Wednesday morning explosion and fire injured 14 people, some seriously.

Late Friday afternoon, the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview said two of the victims in its care were improving.

One who complained of back pain on Thursday has been released from the hospital.

A second patient who was in serious condition Thursday with broken bones has been upgraded to fair condition.

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