AUSTINTOWN TWP., Ohio - Austintown Township trustees have declared a state of emergency following an explosion at Phoenix House, a senior and low income apartment complex.

Late Saturday evening, trustees held an emergency meeting where they passed a motion to declare a state of emergency.

Trustees also passed a motion to use up to $10,000 from the Westchester fund for emergency housing. The Westchester fund was given to township trustees by a community donor several years ago.

Trustees say they are working to relocate Phoenix House residents, who were evacuated from the building and moved temporarily to Austintown Elementary School. They say there are arrangements in place to house everyone by the end of the night.

Austintown's Assistant Fire Chief Tom O'Hara gave a brief update that

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