YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Reports indicate that a substantial explosion took place at about 2:45 p.m. in the heart of downtown Youngstown. The shocking incident resulted in multiple injuries. As a response, local authorities have advised residents to steer clear of the area while emergency personnel are attending to those impacted.
According to the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency, a natural gas leak is considered to be the cause of the explosion. Security footage of the incident was captured by a surveillance camera from a nearby business.
The ground level of the building where the explosion took place is a Chase Bank branch, and the rest of the building houses several apartments.
Reports confirmed that seven individuals have been transported to Mercy Health Hospital in Youngstown from the scene, with two people still unaccounted for. A representative from the hospital reported that of the seven, one person is critically injured, though further details were not made available.
Taking cautionary measures, officials have issued an evacuation order for buildings in the immediate vicinity. Further investigation into the incident is being handled by Ohio state fire marshals who arrived on the scene to figure out the source of the Tuesday afternoon gas leak.