7 hurt, 2 missing after natural gas explosion tears facade off bank in downtown Youngstown

A natural gas explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, blew open the facade of a downtown bank building Tuesday afternoon, injuring seven people and leaving at least two individuals missing.

The front of the Realty building on East Federal Street was heavily damaged, with images showing that the facade was completely destroyed. The building houses a Chase bank.

Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley reported that everyone had been accounted for except for one man, possibly a bank employee, and a woman.

“We honestly don’t know if that person is down there or not,” Finley said, referring to the missing man.

Officials stated that no one is allowed back into the Realty building or the neighboring Double Tree hotel. However, people can return to the nearby International Towers.

Due to concerns about the structural integrity of the building, firefighters were not being sent in as of 6:30 p.m.

Stephanie Moore, a representative for Enbridge Gas, said the cause of the explosion was unknown as of Tuesday evening and that the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office would be investigating. She noted that the company was alerted to the incident just before 3 p.m.