Deadlines are fast approaching for the owner of the blast-damaged Realty Building and residents of its Downtown Youngstown neighbor, International Towers.

Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown has given Realty Building owner, YO Properties, until Monday to deliver a plan to stabilize the structure that was damaged during an explosion on May 28.  Chase Bank employee Akil Drake died in the blast.

A report from a structural engineer says the building is in imminent danger of collapsing due to heavy damage to columns on the first floor of the building.

In a media release issued Thursday, city officials said that if the Realty Building owner does not deliver the plan by the end of the business day on Monday, the city will find a structural engineer to start safely stabilizing the building.

The structural engineer also found that the adjacent International Towers is in a hazard zone, should the Realty Building collapse. 

International Tower residents, many elderly or disabled, were given three days to evacuate their apartments, with a deadline to clear out by noon on Friday.

Once everyone has been evacuated and relocated, the Youngstown Police and Fire Departments will conduct a floor-by-floor search of International Towers to make sure no one remains behind.

It's believed the explosion at Realty Tower was caused by a contractor cutting a gas line while doing utility work in the basement.

Community organizations have come forward to help the displaced residents with needs including moving costs and food. Some are even giving the residents a place to stay.

Animal Charity is helping residents by removing animals from the building.

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