A gas leak appears to have caused a major explosion in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly blowing off the bottom floor of a 13-story building and injuring at least seven people.
According to Youngstown NBC affiliate WFMJ, the first floor of the building, which houses a Chase Bank, appears to have been destroyed.
Two people, a man and a woman, were missing after the explosion that occurred around 3 p.m., Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley told reporters at the scene.
The man is believed to have worked for the bank, Finley said. A sheriff’s department drone was sent into the basement of the building, but little was seen, he said.
“The floor has collapsed, there’s nothing to see, so honestly we don’t know if that person is down there or not,” Finley said.
Mercy Health Hospital was treating seven patients, one of whom was in critical condition, hospital spokesperson Jennifer Robinson said in a statement.
She said the hospital was monitoring the situation and “engaging with local emergency officials” who responded to the scene.
“Our hearts go out to those affected, and we stand ready to help those in need as the health of our patients and the entire Youngstown community is and always has been our top priority,” Robinson said.
Security video from a nearby business captured the moment of the explosion on an otherwise quiet street. There are no cars on the adjacent street, which appears to be blocked by orange construction markings, when suddenly plumes of gray smoke billow from the windows.
The Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency said in a post on X that it was a natural gas explosion.
“The situation is changeable, but under control,” it said.
Utility Enbridge Gas Ohio said its crews were called to respond to a report of an explosion at 2:15 p.m., but no cause was known.
“An investigation will be led by the State Fire Marshal’s office and we will assist in any way we can,” a spokesperson said in an email. “This process may take some time. Our thoughts are with those affected by this event.”
Youngstown police told residents to avoid downtown.
“We have no idea what caused the explosion. We know there was an explosion and it caused a lot of damage to the underside of the building,” Finley said at the scene, according to a video posted online by ABC affiliate WTAE from Pittsburgh.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
