Youngstown, Ohio – Mayor Tito Brown will address the public on Wednesday morning following a tragic explosion that occurred in downtown Youngstown the day before.
Three people have been confirmed dead, with one of them being a 27-year-old Chase Bank employee whose body was recovered overnight. The press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. to provide updates on the situation.
In the wake of Tuesday’s explosion, seven individuals were hospitalized, with one person listed in critical condition, according to Mercy Health. Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley had reported two individuals – a man and a woman – as unaccounted for, but search efforts were halted Tuesday night.
Chase Bank, which occupies the first floor of the affected building, released a statement expressing condolences for the loss of their colleague and offering support to the injured and their families. The neighboring International Towers apartment building was evacuated for safety precautions.
Witnesses described feeling the building shake and hearing a loud explosion, resulting in a large cloud of dust. Sources indicated that the blast was powerful enough to create a crater in the bank’s basement, leading to concerns about the building’s stability and the safety of those inside.
To ensure everyone’s safety, authorities decided to suspend the search for the missing individuals. The city of Youngstown is working closely with officials and emergency responders to address the aftermath of this tragic incident.