An explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, blew open the facade of a downtown bank building Tuesday afternoon, with seven people injured and one man killed. According to a news release from Youngstown Police Department, a 27-year-old man was killed in the explosion. That man was identified as Akil Drake, a Penn Hills High School graduate who worked at the Chase Bank where the explosion happened."Akil was a 2015 Penn Hills graduate and a student-athlete who excelled on the football field. The Penn Hills School District 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," said a statement released on behalf of the Penn Hills School District.A spokesperson for Youngstown State University confirmed for Pittsburgh's Action News 4 Wednesday that Drake graduated from the school. A statement read in part:"The Youngstown State University family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our alumni during the explosion in downtown yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with Akil's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."All other people related to this incident have been accounted for, according to police. Authorities say a woman was believed to be missing. However, she was later found at a hospital under a different name, according to ABC affiliate WYTV.The front of the Realty Building on East Federal Street was heavily damaged. Images from the scene show the facade of the building had been completely destroyed. The building is home to a Chase Bank. Officials said no one is allowed to go back into the Realty building or the neighboring Double Tree hotel. However, people can go back into nearby International Towers.Officials were concerned about the structural integrity of the building, so no firefighters were being sent in as of 6:30 p.m.A representative for Enbridge Gas, Stephanie Moore, said a cause for the explosion was unknown as of Tuesday evening and that the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office would be investigating. She said the company was alerted just before 3 p.m. to the incident.“Public safety is our top priority, and we are onsite and working closely with local emergency responders to contain the area and have shut off gas to the entire block as a safety precaution,” Moore said in a statement. A spokesperson from Mercy Health-Youngstown said that seven people had been injured in the explosion, with one person in critical condition. Finely said one person who had been injured was on a ventilator.Enbridge Gas extended its condolences to those impacted by the explosion. Officials are asking people to avoid the area until further notice. Youngstown police are also asking residents to keep communication lines up for emergency uses. A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said, "Right now, we are in close contact with local officials to check on the safety of everyone in the building and area. After that, we'll work to determine what happened and to assess the damage." Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown said he and his team were aware of the explosion.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio —
An explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, blew open the facade of a downtown bank building Tuesday afternoon, with seven people injured and one man killed.
According to a news release from Youngstown Police Department, a 27-year-old man was killed in the explosion. That man was identified as Akil Drake, a Penn Hills High School graduate who worked at the Chase Bank where the explosion happened.
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"Akil was a 2015 Penn Hills graduate and a student-athlete who excelled on the football field. The Penn Hills School District 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," said a statement released on behalf of the Penn Hills School District.
A spokesperson for Youngstown State University confirmed for Pittsburgh's Action News 4 Wednesday that Drake graduated from the school. A statement read in part:
"The Youngstown State University family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our alumni during the explosion in downtown yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with Akil's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
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All other people related to this incident have been accounted for, according to police. Authorities say a woman was believed to be missing. However, she was later found at a hospital under a different name, according to ABC affiliate WYTV.
The front of the Realty Building on East Federal Street was heavily damaged. Images from the scene show the facade of the building had been completely destroyed. The building is home to a Chase Bank.
Officials said no one is allowed to go back into the Realty building or the neighboring Double Tree hotel. However, people can go back into nearby International Towers.
Officials were concerned about the structural integrity of the building, so no firefighters were being sent in as of 6:30 p.m.
A representative for Enbridge Gas, Stephanie Moore, said a cause for the explosion was unknown as of Tuesday evening and that the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office would be investigating. She said the company was alerted just before 3 p.m. to the incident.
“Public safety is our top priority, and we are onsite and working closely with local emergency responders to contain the area and have shut off gas to the entire block as a safety precaution,” Moore said in a statement.
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Engineers, Dominion Gas personnel on scene now. Utilities turned off to the Realty Building. Double Tree next door remains evacuated, but residents can return to International Towers, which is next door on the other side of Realty. @WTAE
— Mike Valente (@ValenteWTAE) May 28, 2024
A spokesperson from Mercy Health-Youngstown said that seven people had been injured in the explosion, with one person in critical condition. Finely said one person who had been injured was on a ventilator.
Enbridge Gas extended its condolences to those impacted by the explosion.
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Officials are asking people to avoid the area until further notice. Youngstown police are also asking residents to keep communication lines up for emergency uses.
A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said, "Right now, we are in close contact with local officials to check on the safety of everyone in the building and area. After that, we'll work to determine what happened and to assess the damage."
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown said he and his team were aware of the explosion.
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