OH - Two (2) Missing, Seven (7) Injured in Natural Gas Explosion - Youngstown, Mahoning County - 28 May 2024

[Richrd]

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NBC News:​

City of Youngstown to discuss hiring of structural engineer to inspect Realty Tower Building

The city's Board of Control is requested to make a payment of $7,500 to structural engineering company Barber & Hoffman based out of Cranberry Township in Pennsylvania.

www.wfmj.com

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ABC News:​

Man found dead in rubble of Youngstown bank explosion identified as Penn Hills graduate

Akil Drake was a football player at Penn Hills High School and graduated in 2015, the school district said.

www.wtae.com

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Natural Gas, lighter than Air, will rise to to upper floors.

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[imstilla.grandma]

Youngstown Police confirm a 27-year old man was recovered from the scene. Police said he was an employee at the bank

Fire Chief Barry Finley says the car of the woman reported missing is not anywhere near the scene and she is not at any area hospital, so they no longer believe she was there when the explosion happened.

“I heard the boom, and I looked up and I could see dark smoke coming out of the side of the Chase Bank building… but it was such a really strong, strong boom, you know, I blurted out, ‘Oh my God,'” said Debora Flora, executive director of Mahoning County Land Bank who works downtown.

“The floor is collapsed in on itself, there’s nothing to see, it’s full of water, so honestly, we don’t know if that person is down there or not. When we get clearance to go into the building… until then, I will not put any of my firefighters down there to do a search for any reason right now,” Chief Finley said.

https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/gas-explosion-in-youngstown-ohio/crews-respond-to-downtown-youngstown-for-report-of-explosion/

The seven injured people were taken to Mercy Health Hospital in Youngstown. A hospital spokesperson said one person was in critical condition, but did not release further details.

A social media post by the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency said there was a natural gas explosion and the situation is fluid but under control.

The blast shook the downtown area of the city of about 60,000 residents. Bricks, glass and other debris littered the sidewalk

https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/two-people-missing-after-building-explosion-in-ohio-s-youngstown-officials-124052900630_1.html

 

[steeltowngirl]

Former Pittsburgh man was killed.

https://www.facebook.com/100064624184002/posts/pfbid02Nk5vmNd9GfseH8dXhLKVbqW12iG9LdwAGki8dPxaddfmtDMLSCuDBuEisPfxuRQhl

Drake graduated from Penn Hills High School in 2015. He played football at Penn Hills, which led to his role with the Youngstown State football team in college. His hard work and determination are what people close to him are remembering.

The devastating news was tough for John Peterman, Drake's former football coach at Penn Hills. He said Drake was the type of player every coach wanted.

"He was always doing what we asked him to do, which was a great attribute of his," Peterman said.

That hard work carried over to Youngstown State, where Drake worked on shooting, editing and producing the film study videos under Mark Preto.

"He worked hard. He was someone that you wanted to see do well in life or help out if you can," Preto said.

Drake is being remembered by those close to him for his smile.

"Whether it was at football practice, in school, in the hallways, he was always in a happy mood," Peterman said.

Drake pushed himself through school and always worked to push himself forward. Preto felt Drake was getting everything together in life. This tragedy has left him speechless about what he would say to Drake's family and loved ones.

"Nothing could express what they're going through. I could say thoughts and prayers, but that gets thrown around too much," Preto said.

In a statement to KDKA-TV, the Penn Hills School District said, in part, that it "extends its deepest sympathies to Akil's family as well as the other individuals impacted by this tragic explosion. Akil will be missed by us all."

Youngstown State said in a statement to KDKA-TV that, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Akil's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to those who were injured and their families, as well as to all those affected by this incident."

Pittsburgh native Akil Drake killed in Youngstown building explosion

The Mahoning County Coroner identified the victim as 27-year-old Akil Drake, a Pittsburgh native.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[steeltowngirl]

Ohio building explosion caused by crew cutting gas line they thought was off, NTSB says

A bank employee was killed and several people were injured in the explosion Tuesday in Youngstown.

www.nbcnews.com