Realty Building explosion

[1] In 1955, gale-force winds severely damaged and tore the roof off of the building, requiring $50,000 to repair.

[4] On May 28, 2024, at 2:45 p.m. EDT (18:45 UTC),[5] a large explosion occurred at the base of the building, destroying the façade, throwing glass, brick, and other debris onto the sidewalk, caused the downtown area of Youngstown to rumble, and causing the first floor housing a Chase Bank to collapse into the basement.

The explosion killed 27-year-old bank employee Akil Drake, who was found deceased in the basement.

[9] Starbucks in Austintown partnered with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley to collect donations and essential items for those displaced by the explosion.

Children's Museum scheduled announced a community event for June 29 to aid collection for United Way and to make "thank you" cards for first responders.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators walk the scene of the May 28 natural gas explosion in downtown Youngstown, Ohio on May 30, 2024.
Image captured by videographer Ron Flaviano seconds after the explosion in Downtown Youngstown, Ohio on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 illustrates the complete destruction of the Chase Bank on the lower level of the Realty Building.
The Realty Building in 2008