Overview
- The explosion struck the Phoenix House complex just before 1 p.m. Saturday in Austintown, blowing out part of an exterior wall.
- Officials reported multiple injuries, including one person taken to a hospital with severe injuries, and no deaths have been confirmed.
- Fire crews from Austintown, Youngstown and neighboring departments conducted active rescues and evacuated residents using WRTA and school buses.
- Township trustees declared a state of emergency, moved displaced residents to Austintown Elementary School, and set aside up to $10,000 for emergency housing.
- The site is secured and closed to reentry as the Ohio State Fire Marshal assists the probe into the undetermined cause, with witnesses reporting a gas odor.