Personnel carry items retrieved from the Realty Tower apartments Wednesday morning to give to tenants. Evacuations were imposed after a May 28 explosion left the building heavily damaged.

The first two suitcases apparently filled with items from two apartments in the Realty Tower were brought out by people wearing safety gear at about 10:30 a.m. today, followed by two more suitcases at 10:48 a.m.

One of those people bringing the second round of items was fire Chief Barry Finley.

Personnel delivered the containers to a tent set up in the back of the International Tower, where personnel were standing by to handle the containers. Nearby are some of the tenants of the Realty Tower waiting for their containers to be brought out.

There was some question about whether the Youngstown Fire Department would carry out their plan to enter the apartments to take out specific items, but the salvage operation apparently is taking place.

The firefighters union had recommended against any firefighters participating in the removal because of concerns about the safety of the firefighters entering the building.

This is a developing story. Check the Thursday edition of The Vindicator or vindy.com for more information.