YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Almost a year following the devastating explosion at the now-demolished Realty Tower, the owners of the nearby Stambaugh Hotel have initiated legal action against multiple companies they allege are responsible for the incident. The lawsuit, filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, names several defendants including YO Properties 47, LY Property Management, Greenheart Companies, and East Ohio Gas Co., which operates as Enbridge Gas Ohio, alongside affiliated natural gas entities.
The Stambaugh Hotel, which operates under the Hilton DoubleTree brand, is located directly across from where Realty Tower once stood. The explosion inflicted considerable damage on the Stambaugh Building and led to its temporary closure mandated by city officials. As a result, the Stambaugh Hotel and the accompanying parking structure faced significant operational disruptions and financial losses, prompting the current legal action seeking over $1 million in damages not compensated by insurance.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the explosion was caused by the negligence of the Realty Tower’s owners and management, as well as those responsible for the natural gas line that ruptured. It explicitly outlines that the defendants are strictly liable for engaging in hazardous activities that ultimately led to the tragic event.
Among the named defendants is Travelers Indemnity Co. of Connecticut, which provided the hotel’s insurance coverage. The lawsuit describes Travelers as a necessary participant in the dispute due to its involvement in the financial policies related to property damage and lost business income.
Details within the suit indicate that YO Properties 47 and Greenheart Companies retained a level of oversight through their agents and contractors, suggesting their direct involvement in the management of the Realty Tower and the gas line maintenance. The complaint points to a contract awarded to Greenheart in April 2024 for utility relocation, a project that included a major gas line that would eventually lead to the explosion.
On May 28, during a routine utility removal process, a crew member inadvertently cut into an active gas line, thought to be inactive at the time. The immediate aftermath of this incident involved a distressing realization of the gas leak, prompting the crew to alert emergency services. Tragically, just minutes later, the Realty Tower exploded, resulting in the death of Chase Bank employee Akil Drake and injuries to several others.
The blast also necessitated the evacuation of nearby International Towers, displacing numerous residents, some of whom are elderly or disabled. After months of temporary displacement, residents returned to their homes, but the impact of the explosion lingered.
Following the explosion, access to the streets surrounding the Realty Tower was restricted for about 75 days by the Youngstown Fire Department, further crippling business operations for the Stambaugh Hotel and parking garage. The hotel experienced significant financial losses due to canceled reservations and other disrupted services.
The lawsuit also states that the parking garage incurred property damages exceeding $25,000. The Stambaugh Hotel is now pursuing a judgment against the defendants for compensatory damages, seeking both financial restitution and punitive damages for the negligence they allege contributed to the explosion.
Attempts to obtain comments from the defendants or their representatives regarding the lawsuit were unsuccessful. The legal proceedings mark a significant development in the aftermath of a disaster that has deeply affected the Youngstown community.