Several people were injured after an explosion at a senior living apartment building in Austintown, Ohio, just outside Youngstown.
Firefighters responded to the Phoenix House apartments on Saturday, Nov. 22, after reports of a blast shortly after 12:30 p.m. local time, according to WKBN, WKYC and WFMJ. Residents told WFMJ they heard a loud boom and felt the building shake. Video shared by the outlets shows a section of the structure torn open, exposing interior walls and belongings inside.
Austintown Assistant Fire Chief Tom O’Hara said one person was taken to the hospital with severe injuries, while several others suffered minor injuries. Authorities used buses to evacuate residents who were not hurt, transporting them to the Austintown Senior Center or facilities within the Austintown School District, reports said.
“We are currently performing another search to confirm that we have an all clear on the building,” O’Hara told WFMJ.
Mahoning County Commissioners said in a statement to WFMJ that emergency crews from the area are working to secure the scene, assess damage and help residents evacuate safely.
The cause of the explosion has not been confirmed. However, witnesses reported smelling gas near the building.
Uninjured residents were seen waiting in the parking lot, many wrapped in blankets and some holding pets. One resident, Michael Kosach, described the moment to WKBN: “It felt like an earthquake. I didn’t know how bad it was until I got out.” Others echoed the shock, with residents Don Lampley and Cindy Duke comparing the blast to a massive boom.
Phoenix House serves elderly and disabled Cause of Death Revealed for Anna Kepner, Teen Who Was Found Stuffed Under Bed on Cruise, along with some low-income tenants, according to WFMJ. O’Hara said investigators are now examining the building’s structural stability. The investigation is ongoing, and county officials have urged people nearby to avoid the area while crews continue their work.
