Historic Realty Tower in Youngstown Scheduled for Demolition After Fatal Explosion>

Historic Realty Tower in Youngstown Set for Demolition After Deadly Explosion
Youngstown, Ohio — The historic Realty Tower building in Youngstown will be demolished starting Tuesday at noon, following a deadly explosion earlier this year. The explosion in late May, caused by a crew mistakenly cutting a live gas line, resulted in the death of 27-year-old Akil Drake, a Chase Bank employee, and injured seven others.
Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown announced that the decision to demolish the building was made due to significant concerns about its structural stability. Despite disappointment over losing such a historic building, city officials emphasize the importance of safety and moving forward to reopen downtown businesses and homes.
The demolition process will be overseen by the Realty Tower owners, while the National Transportation Safety Board’s pipeline and hazardous materials division continues to investigate the explosion.