On a seemingly ordinary Saturday afternoon, chaos erupted at the Phoenix House Senior Apartments in Austintown, Ohio. At around 12:45 PM, an explosion tore through the facility, leaving a trail of destruction and panic in its wake. The blast resulted in injuries to at least ten individuals, with one person sustaining serious wounds.
Witnesses recounted the terrifying experience to Fox8, describing the initial tremors as akin to an earthquake, followed by a deafening “big, loud blast then boom.” These vivid descriptions highlight the sheer force of the explosion, which significantly damaged the building’s fourth floor, compromising walls, ceilings, and floors.
Images from the scene reveal the extent of the devastation, with interior walls and rooms laid bare by the blast’s power. Residents reported that the explosion not only toppled their bookshelves and dislodged air conditioning units but also scattered debris across the parking lot, painting a grim picture of the aftermath.
The rupture knocked out the walls, ceilings, and floors of a major chunk of the building at the fourth floor.
Pictures showed that the powerful blast had left interior walls and rooms exposed.
Residents said that it toppled their bookshelves, tore out their air conditioning and left debris all over the parking lot.
Dozens of people and pets evacuated as they waited for the Austintown Fire department to arrive.
‘I didn’t know how bad it was until I got out,’ resident Michael Kosach told Fox8.
An explosion shook an apartment complex in Austintown, Ohio on Saturday afternoon
Firefighters quickly responded and helped to evacuate the residents. At least ten people sustained injuries
Austintown Fire Assistant Fire Chief Tom O’Hara classified one person’s injuries as ‘serious’ and said the victim was immediately rushed to the hospital.
There were several ‘walking wounded’ who were treated for minor injuries. No deaths have been reported.
Firefighters did multiple searches of the building to make sure no one had been left behind in the debris.
Crews from surrounding cities joined the Austintown fire department to assist with injuries and evacuation.
Nearly 130 residents lived in the low-income complex which catered to seniors and the disabled, according to WFMJ.
One resident, who does not have legs, described scooting down the staircase ‘on his butt’ while waiting for help to arrive.
Video footage shows visibly shaken residents in the parking lot holding onto blankets, personal items, and pets as emergency responders moved in.
The cause of the explosion is still being investigated. Some witnesses described a gas odor in the area, according to WKYC.
Witnesses said the blast felt like an earthquake and knocked over book shelves and damaged walls
The explosion was traced to the fourth floor of the building, but no cause has been determined
Residents may not be back in their homes for several days, while officials determine whether the building is structurally stable.
Resident Ken Balakoff called the stressful situation pure ‘pandemonium’.
‘Probably won’t get back in for several days,’ he told Fox8.
‘Forgot my wallet, my wallet, and my Kindle with all my information on it.’
The victims were bussed to Austintown Senior Center and Austintown Elementary School as the explosion was being assessed.
Austintown trustees met at an emergency meeting Saturday night and allocated town funds to make sure everyone had a place to stay.
No one will be left at the school overnight.
Local businesses even chipped in to make sure each of the displaced citizens had what they needed.
Residents gathered in the parking lot with blankets, pets, and personal items
Emergency response crews from surrounding cities arrived to assist residents
County officials warned other Austintown locals to avoid the area as they continue to investigate the scene.
‘The Commissioners are devastated by this incident and are focused on the safety and well-being of the residents and our community,’ wrote the Board of Mahoning County Commissioners in a statement on social media.
The commissioners added that the county Dog Warden and Animal Charity were working together to provide shelter for any affected pets.
The Daily Mail contacted the Austintown Fire Department, Phoenix House Senior Apartments, and Mahoning County Commissioners for more information.
