AUSTINTOWN — Steven D. Smith is the lone fatality in the Nov. 22 Phoenix House explosion.

Records from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office show that the 63-year-old man died Tuesday at Cleveland MetroHealth Hospital. He was flown there from St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital on the day of the explosion.

Austintown fire Chief David Schertzer confirmed on Tuesday that an investigator with the medical examiner’s office called to inform him that Smith had died. Smith was the last of the Phoenix House residents remaining in the hospital, and officials said Monday evening that they were hopeful he would recover.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office could not be reached for comment on Wednesday, so Smith’s exact cause and manner of death are still unknown. Schertzer said on Tuesday that the man had suffered some burns and other injuries.

The explosion is still under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal, but initial reports indicate that a natural gas line was the likely cause.

The Vindicator has not been able to determine where Smith was found in relation to the blast that forced all 133 of the building’s residents to evacuate just days before Thanksgiving.

Township officials said all Phoenix House residents were placed in beds that night, either in hospitals, hotels, shelters, or with friends and family.

Truckloads of donations have come into the Austintown Senior Center and been distributed by the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

On Nov. 25 and 26, Austintown firefighters escorted residents or their representatives into the building to acquire bags full of personal belongings.

Township Administrator Mark D’Apolito said Phoenix House management has assumed responsibility for the property’s security and for overseeing residents’ recovery of the rest of their belongings.

In the immediate aftermath, officials said the building appears to be salvageable in the long term but it could be more than a year before it is safe to live there again.

Phoenix House has contracted with Austintown Police Department for 24/7 security at the site.

D’Apolito said Phoenix House will work with residents and other apartment complexes to transfer HUD vouchers so those affected can secure permanent housing.

Trustee Robert Santos said U.S. Rep Michael Rulli, R-Salem, will ensure that HUD subsidies and vouchers are transferred in a timely manner.