A news conference was held Monday afternoon to provide the latest updates on the explosion at the Phoenix House apartment complex in Austintown over the weekend.

At the start of the conference, Austintown Fire Chief Dave Schertzer said that "preliminary findings appear that it is likely a result of a natural gas explosion." He also said that investigators have not yet determined the source of the gas or what may have ignited it.

Schertzer went on to state that the investigation is ongoing and that the structure has been declared uninhabitable until further notice. He stated the arrangements are being made for residents to retrieve personal and medicinal belongings that they need in the immediate future. Residents will be contacted individually, with that process beginning Tuesday morning. 

Assistant Fire Chief Tom O'Hara said that after the explosion, there was one patient treated and transferred to the MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland in critical condition. There was also one patient treated and released locally and one treated locally who is in stable condition. Schertzer believes there have been no fatalities due to the incident.

O'Hara stated that there were also 10 patients treated and released from local emergency departments.

Schertzer stated that with the investigation being ongoing, the viability and structure of the building are unknown, although preliminary reports have allowed him to believe that the building "may be okay."  

Austintown Township Administrator Mark D'Apolito expressed appreciation for the continued support of the surrounding agencies and the community, with trustees and Police Chief Valorie Delmont highlighting the overwhelming amount of donations and help they've received for the residents of the apartment complex. 

Several local non-profits are working to make sure all displaced residents have a roof over their heads.

Others are accepting donations to make sure displaced residents have the resources to get by. 

You can read more about the help available to residents, as well as the explosion in our related coverage below. 

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