An explosion caused significant damage to a former school building holding several businesses in Ellwood City on Tuesday.

The explosion rocked Ellwood City around 12:15 a.m. Calling it a "catastrophic disaster," Ellwood City Fire Chief Rick Myers said at least seven fire crews, police and EMS arrived at the building.

Several businesses operate inside the building on Mount Vernon Drive, including a salon, tattoo place, Nick Frisk III law office, It's Time Fitness and The Time Brewpub. Myers said the building's owner also owns the decimated brewpub.

"He put his heart and soul into there. He's got multiple businesses in there that he runs with his family and so to see something like that, that he was just getting up off of his feet and running, it's tragic for him and his family," Myers

See Full Page