Crews investigating apparent car explosion in Youngstown

Authorities in Youngstown are investigating a car explosion that rocked a North Hartford Avenue neighborhood early Tuesday, causing significant damage to a parked vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Youngstown police and fire crews responded to the 200 block of North Hartford Avenue shortly after 9 a.m., following reports of a loud, bomb-like sound. Firefighters discovered a Buick Envision with extensive blast damage to its rear right side. The vehicle was not on fire when emergency personnel arrived.

According to a police report, the 91-year-old vehicle owner told officers he heard a loud explosion around 2 a.m. but, due to post-surgery medication, did not fully realize the extent of the incident until he woke up at 9 a.m. and noticed pictures knocked off his wall. He was unaware of the damage to his car until informed by the Youngstown Fire Department.

Neighbors told YFD officials they also heard a loud explosion around 3 a.m. but did not observe any fire.

Youngstown Police Lt. Mohammad Awad confirmed to local media that no remnants of an explosive device were found at the scene. The incident's cause remains unclear, and investigators have not yet determined if it was intentional.

The Youngstown Police Department's Crime Lab and Bomb Squad, along with an arson investigator, responded to process the scene. The damaged Buick was towed for further examination by a bomb investigator. Police stated there had been no previous problems or interactions at the address.