The body of a Chase bank employee has been found after a natural gas explosion ripped through a building in downtown Youngtown, Ohio.
Seven other people are injured after the Tuesday afternoon blast. A woman who was believed missing was not in the building at the time of the explosion, authorities told WFMJ-TV.
An explosion ripped through the Realty building at 2:45 p.m.
Security camera footage showed the entire front of the building blowing out into the street.
19 News obtained dramatic surveillance video showing the moments the Chase Bank building in downtown Youngstown exploded this afternoon. I just spoke with the fire chief a minute ago and he tells me they're still searching for people in the rubble. @cleveland19news pic.twitter.com/AAGo76uHXS
— Kelly Kennedy (@KellyEKennedyTV) May 28, 2024
The blast collapsed the first floor of the building into the basement, Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley said. The Youngstown Police said the man who died was at work in the bank and was seen right before the blast. Mercy Hospital, a local hospital said one of the injured was listed in critical condition, WOIO-TV reported. Enbridge Gas Ohio released a statement: "Our thoughts are with those impacted by today's incident in Youngstown. Enbridge crews are assisting emergency responders, area is secure, gas to surrounding block is off as a safety precaution."
Our thoughts are with those impacted by today’s incident in #Youngstown. Enbridge crews are assisting emergency responders, area is secure, gas to surrounding block is off as a safety precaution.
— Enbridge Gas Ohio (@EnbridgeGasOhio) May 28, 2024
It said it was helping the state fire marshall in investigating the cause of the blast.
The downtown area remained closed early on Wednesday and police urged people to stay away.
