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Explosion at Austintown Senior Apartments Injures Residents and Closes Building

Township leaders declared a local emergency, placing all displaced tenants in temporary housing pending a fire marshal investigation.

Overview

  • The blast struck the Phoenix House complex shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday, blowing open an exterior wall and exposing interior rooms.
  • Officials said one person suffered severe injuries and several others had minor injuries, with no fatalities confirmed.
  • The Ohio State Fire Marshal is assisting and the cause remains undetermined, though witnesses reported smelling gas at the scene.
  • Residents have been relocated to nursing homes and hotels, the building remains off-limits, and a plan is being developed to help tenants retrieve belongings in the coming days.
  • Trustees authorized up to $10,000 from the Westchester fund for emergency housing, WRTA buses moved evacuees to local shelters, and the Animal Charity Humane Society is reuniting pets with owners.