Gas Explosion in Downtown Youngstown, Ohio
On Tuesday (May 28), a gas explosion rocked downtown Youngstown, Ohio, causing chaos and destruction. Here are the key details of the incident:
Details of the Explosion
- Two people went missing and seven were injured in the blast.
- The explosion occurred on the first floor of a 13-storey building on E Federal Street, housing the office of Chase Bank.
- The blast, identified as a natural gas explosion by Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley, took place around 2:45 pm local time.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the explosion, officials launched search and rescue operations to locate the missing individuals:
- Search crews attempted to find the missing man and woman, with the man being an employee of the bank.
- The collapsed floor in the flooded basement posed challenges to the search efforts, prompting the use of a mini-drone.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with dramatic footage capturing the intensity of the explosion:
- Residents reported hearing a deafening boom and seeing thick smoke engulf the city block.
- Security camera footage showed windows shattering and debris flying across the street after the blast.