Natural gas explosion damages building in Ohio city, no word yet on injuries

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — A natural gas explosion caused extensive damage to a building in an Ohio city on Tuesday, authorities said, but it wasn’t immediately clear if anyone had been injured.

The blast in Youngstown damaged a building and blew off the facade, WKBN-TV reported. Firefighters helped some people get out of the building, which houses a bank on the ground floor and also has some apartments. People who apparently were hurt in the blast were being taken to hospitals, the station reported, but officials have not yet confirmed any injuries.

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 agency asked people to avoid the area until further notice.

Residents reported hearing a loud boom and seeing smoke coming from the site.