OAN’s Brooke Mallory
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 5:04 PM
Two people are missing and seven were injured after a gas explosion in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, on Tuesday, authorities said.
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Police said the explosion happened near Central Square and advised local residents to leave the area if possible.
“Emergency services are on scene and the situation is being actively managed,” the Youngstown Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Mercy Health reported Tuesday night that it was treating seven victims injured in the horrific incident, one of whom is in critical condition.
Authorities said it was unclear what caused the gas explosion, which damaged a Chase Bank branch and an apartment building.
Fire Chief Barry Finley said gas and water have now been shut off to the building, and firefighters are waiting for all electricity to be shut off before beginning an extensive search.
Everyone at the bank has been identified except for one man and one woman, Finley said..
“Until then, [they’re] “Inside the building,” Finley continued.
The fire chief said the structural integrity of the building will also be inspected by experts, and Finley said a collapse of the building could “totally shut down” the downtown area.
A Chase spokesperson said the bank was “working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of everyone in the building and surrounding area.”
“Work will then be carried out to determine what happened and assess the damage,” the spokesman added.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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