Multiple injuries after explosion rocks downtown Youngstown, Ohio building

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio ( WKBN ) – Multiple people were hurt Tuesday when a massive explosion tore open the front of a building in downtown Youngstown, Ohio Tuesday, sending concrete and other debris out onto the sidewalk.

The explosion happened just before 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Realty building on East Federal Street. Crews evacuated people from the top floors, where there are apartments.

Chase Bank is located at the bottom of the building. A representative of Chase Bank said they are in contact with local officials to check on the safety of everyone in the building, and after that, they will assess the damage.

Those in the area reported hearing a loud boom followed by smoke and the smell of gas.

“I heard the boom, and I looked up and I could see dark smoke coming out of the side of the Chase Bank building… but it was such a really strong, strong boom, you know, I blurted out, “Oh my God,'” said Debora Flora, executive director of Mahoning County Land Bank who works downtown.

Seven people are receiving treatment related to the explosion at Mercy Health, with one patient in critical condition, a Mercy Health spokesperson confirmed.

Fire Chief Barry Finley said there is one person who is unaccounted for. His wife reported that he came to work, and crews have so far been unable to locate him.

Finley said everyone else in the building has been located.

Resident Justin Reynolds talked about what he saw during the evacuations.

“When I got to the lobby, there was kind of like a metal gate door that had been bowed in and the rubble from the lobby… the broken-up rock and marble had jammed itself so I was there with my cat in a carrier kind of trying to push the door open,” he said.

Another resident, Jason Small, said he is just worried about the others who lived there.

“It’s things — people are more important than that, but I’m just hoping that they get everyone that’s injured, get them treatment. We’ll worry about this stuff later.”

Crews are now working to determine the structural integrity of the building.

Police have blocked off a perimeter around the area, blocking people and vehicles from going nearby. Drivers should avoid the area.

Mayor Tito Brown thanked responders for working together.

View photos from downtown Youngstown, Ohio explosion

WKBN is at the scene to get more information. Check back here for updates on this developing story.

Joe Gorman, Nadine Grimley, Dave Sess and Madison Meeker contributed to this report.

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