Tributes have been paid to a bank employee who was killed in a gas leak explosion in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, on Tuesday afternoon, blowing out the bottom floor of a 13-story building and injuring at least seven others.
The Mahoning County Coroner's Office confirmed that 27-year-old Chase Bank worker Akil Drake died in the blast, according to NBC affiliate WFMJ of Youngstown. His body was found at about 1 a.m. Wednesday.
The first floor of the building, which housed a Chase Bank, appears to have been destroyed.
Penn Hills School District in the Pittsburgh area confirmed that Drake was a former student there and described him as a talented sportsman.
"Akil was a 2015 Penn Hills graduate and a student athlete who excelled on the football field. The Penn Hills School District extends its deepest sympathies to Akil’s family as well as the other individuals impacted by this tragic explosion. Akil will be missed by us all," the district said.
Youngstown Police Department also confirmed the death in a statement early Wednesday. "It was also discovered that he was at work and was observed inside the building right before the blast," a police spokesperson said. "During their rescue efforts, the Youngstown Fire Department recovered that missing person, who was unfortunately deceased."
State representative and former Youngstown councilwoman Lauren McNally said in a statement: "An unexpected, fatal event can have a chilling impact on a community. I feel those fears and heartache and extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Akil Drake and the explosion survivors and their family members during this painful time."
"The JPMorgan Chase family mourns the loss of our colleague. Our hearts go out to their family as well as our injured employees, their families and other affected by this tragedy," Chase Bank said in a statement.
Enbridge Gas Ohio offered its condolences to Drake's family and said in a statement that the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation into the cause of the blast.
Mercy Health Hospital was treating seven patients, one of whom was in critical condition, hospital spokesperson Jennifer Robinson said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Our hearts go out to those impacted, and we stand ready to assist those in need as the health of our patients and the entire Youngstown community is and always has been our top priority," Robinson said.
Security video from a nearby business captured the moment of the explosion on an otherwise quiet street. There are no cars on the adjacent street, which appears to have orange construction markers blocking it off, when suddenly plumes of gray smoke erupt from the windows.
Utility company Enbridge Gas Ohio said its crews were called to respond to a report of an explosion at 2:15 p.m., but a cause was not yet known.
"An investigation will be led by the State Fire Marshal’s office, and we will assist in any way we can," a spokesperson said in an email. "This process can take time. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this event."
