The city issued a release saying that the person was transported to O'Bleness Memorial Hospital and all other residents of the building are accounted for, per our partners at 10tv.
The Ohio University Police first alerted the public to the possible explosion around 5 p.m., stating there was a partial structural collapse due to a possible explosion in the 100 block of West Union Street.
The situation on West Union Street is stabilized at this time. West Union remains closed to all traffic between High Street and Depot Street until further notice.
— OhioUniversityPolice (@oupolice) April 15, 2018
Athens and OU police were on scene as well as the Athens Fire Department, The Post, the university’s student paper reported.
The cause of the reported explosion is currently not known.
Columbia Gas personnel responded to area, but communications manager Dave Rau said the company has tested its lines from the main to the meter and is confident that their facilities were not involved in the issue, according to our 10tv partners.
Police and fire personnel are on the scene of a partial structural collapse due to a possible explosion in the 100 block of West Union Street. West Union is closed to all traffic from High Street west to the traffic circle. Avoid the area.
— OhioUniversityPolice (@oupolice) April 15, 2018
The State Fire Marshal is conducting an investigation of the incident.
About the Author