AUSTINTOWN — A weekend explosion at a high-rise apartment complex off North Meridian Road has shaken the community, but safety crews and local agencies have come to the aid of the nearly 100 people who live there.

Safety crews were called out around 12:30 p.m. Saturday following the explosion of the Phoenix House apartments, 850 N. Meridian Road, which is across the street from the Youngstown border just off Interstate 680.

Township officials and safety leaders gathered Sunday afternoon to discuss the weekend’s explosion and how quick response from firefighters and police officers, and the community stepping up has helped the victims.

Austintown Assistant Fire Chief Tom O’Hara said after the explosion, parts of the building had fallen off the sides. He said police and fire agencies from Austintown and neighboring communities — including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Boardman, Canfield, Girard, Weathersfield, Lordstown and Youngstown — worked together to evacuate nearly 100 people within an hour, with many transported to local hospitals.

O’Hara said other people were transported by WRTA and the Austintown Local School District’s transportation department to Austintown Elementary School.

Township trustees at an emergency meeting late Saturday issued a “declaration of emergency” because of the explosion and approved up to $10,000 in nontaxable funds from the Westchester Fund to assist with emergency housing for affected residents.

Officials said displaced residents have been placed in nursing homes and hotels.

Austintown fire Chief David Schertzer said an investigative team from the State Fire Marshal’s Office was working to determine the possible cause of the explosion. He said it has not been determined yet and the investigation is ongoing. However, witnesses at the scene said the smell of natural gas lingered in the air.

“Because of the amount of damage, they can’t make a determination at this time. There is a lot of debris they have to dig through and look at,” Schertzer said.

He said the building is uninhabitable and remains closed with no water, electricity and other utilities.

“There is a significant amount of damage to the building,” he said, noting structural engineers are evaluating the building.

The blast tore away portions of the building’s outer walls and emergency responders could be seen working their way through that area Saturday evening, apparently in search of potentially injured or trapped residents. Much of the damage appeared to be on the middle floors of the complex.

A police officer is stationed at the site at all times.

Phoenix House is home to elderly, disabled and low-income residents. The seven-story, 150-unit complex was built in 1970 and operated as a Sheraton hotel for several years.

FINDING PETS

Schertzer said crews were looking for any remaining pets, and efforts are being made to reunite pets with their owners. Animal Charity of Ohio in Boardman is keeping them safe until they can be reunited with their owners.

Schertzer said there will be communication with the residents on a plan for them to be escorted by safety crews to get small personal belongings from the building, including medication, laptop computers, clothes and personal items.

“The elevators are not working. If residents can’t walk steps, then someone representing them will be able to go for them and find what they need,” Schertzer said.

The chief said there are no updates on the condition of anyone transported to the hospital. However, no deaths were officially reported as of Sunday evening.

Officials said local businesses, social service agencies and community members provided items and services to the residents.

Trustee Robert Santos said the township will do what it can to meet the needs of the residents. He said United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Catholic Charities, American Red Cross and other agencies stepped in to assist with the residents’ needs.

Trustee Monica Deavers said the main concern was the safety and health of the residents.

“This has been a tremendous tragedy for our town. I can’t thank the community enough for all they have done to help,” she said.

Police Sgt. David Yohman said the police department was the first on the scene of the explosion.

“It was a chaotic scene with debris everywhere. The officers assisted firefighters in evacuating individuals, who are mostly elderly or disabled. Everyone was able to be taken care of,” Yohman said.

Township Administrator Mark D’Apolito said the township is “entering the first chapter of recovery.”

He said the township and the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency remain committed to working with social agencies throughout the area to meet the ongoing needs of the residents.

The Mahoning County commissioners released a statement on social media Saturday evening.

“The commissioners are devastated by this incident and are focused on the safety and well-being of the residents and our community,” the release stated. “The commissioners’ priority is to support our first responders to ensure that all those affected will receive the necessary medical attention, shelter and assistance.”

To assist, contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS 1-800-733-2767 or 211.