AUSTINTOWN — Natural gas is the likely cause of an explosion that has left dozens of senior citizens without a home for the holiday.

Township officials provided an update Monday on the explosion Saturday at the Phoenix House senior living high-rise at 850 N. Meridian Road.

More than 100 residents were evacuated, and at least a dozen were injured.

Fire Chief David Schertzer led Monday’s news conference at Township Hall, which also included Assistant Fire Chief Tom O’Hara, Township Administrator Mark D’Apolito, police Chief Valorie Delmont and trustees Robert Santos and Monica Deavers. Trustee Bruce Shepas has been out of town.

“At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing. The preliminary findings appear that it is likely the result of a natural gas explosion, however inve

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