YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — A natural gas explosion occurred in an Ohio city on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to a building and injuring seven people, authorities said.
The explosion in Youngstown, which happened around 2:45 p.m., damaged the building and ripped off its exterior, WKBN-TV reported. Firefighters rescued several people from the building, which also houses a bank on the first floor and several apartments.
Seven of the injured were taken to Mercy Health Hospital in Youngstown, where a hospital spokesman said one was in critical condition but gave no further details.
A social media post from Mahoning County Emergency Management said there was a natural gas explosion and that the situation was “fluid but under control.” The agency asked residents to avoid the area until further notice.
Residents reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing smoke coming from the scene.
