Middletown apartment building condemned after explosion, partial collapse

The Butler County Metropolitan Housing Authority apartments on Cribbs Avenue have been condemned by the City of Middletown after an explosion Monday morning severely damaged several units, according to a city official.

The six-unit apartment in the Townhomes West complex is uninhabitable, according to a release from the BMHA.

The City of Middletown will send a letter to the BMHA informing it the building must be demolished or rebuilt, according to an official.

 

The building was built in 1965, according to the release. The 10 displaced residents are being assisted by the Butler County American Red Cross, according to Jerry Reardon from the Butler County Red Cross.

This morning, two Middletown fire officials are on the scene continuing their investigation into the cause of the explosion that injured one resident, ripped off the roof and sent flying debris into the parking lot severely damaging at least two parked vehicles.

One female resident is being treated at Atrium Medical Center, according to fire officials.

Assistant Fire Chief Tom Snively said it was “very fortunate” no one was seriously injured or killed in the incident.

Snively called the incident an “obvious explosion” but did not specify what caused it and said the investigation could take “some time.”

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