A gas leak appears to have caused a large explosion in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, on Tuesday afternoon, destroying the bottom floor of a 13-story building and injuring at least seven people.
The first floor of the building, which houses a Chase Bank, appears to have been destroyed, according to NBC affiliate WFMJ of Youngstown.
Two people, a man and a woman, were missing after the explosion that occurred around 3 p.m., Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley told reporters at the scene.
The man is believed to have worked for the bank, Finley said. A drone from the sheriff’s department was sent into the basement of the building, but there was little that could be seen, he said.
“The floor collapsed in on itself, there’s nothing to see, so honestly we don’t know if that person is down there or not,” Finley said.
Mercy Health Hospital was treating seven patients, one of whom was in critical condition, hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Robinson said in a statement.
She said the hospital was monitoring the situation and “engaging local emergency management authorities” responding to the scene.
“Our hearts go out to those affected and we stand ready to help those in need as the health of our patients and the entire Youngstown community is and has always been our top priority,” Robinson said.
Security video from a nearby business captured the moment of the explosion on a quiet street. There are no cars on the adjacent street, which appears to have orange construction markers blocking it, when suddenly clouds of gray smoke billow from the windows.
Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency said in a post on X which was a natural gas explosion.
“The situation is fluid, but under control,” he said.
Utility company Enbridge Gas Ohio said its crews were called to respond to a report of an explosion at 2:15 p.m., but the cause was not known.
“An investigation will be conducted by the State Fire Marshal’s office and we will assist in any way we can,” a spokesperson said in an email. “This process can take time. Our thoughts are with those who were impacted by this event.”
Youngstown police told residents to avoid downtown.
“We have no idea what caused the explosion. We know there was an explosion and it caused a lot of damage to the lower part of the building,” Finley said at the scene, according to video posted online. by ABC affiliate WTAE of Pittsburgh.
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
