The historic Valentine Theatre complex in downtown Toledo is structurally sound despite a basement explosion early yesterday that blew out several windows and damaged walls on the lower level of its Renaissance Senior Apartments.

Authorities this morning will continue to investigate the cause of the explosion on St. Clair Street that prompted the evacuation of nearly 70 apartment residents.

The building is safe, Toledo fire Chief Mike Wolever said. Primarily, the damage is cosmetic.

He said officials do not believe the building could collapse. But it remains closed while authorities investigate the explosion and inspect the structure, which houses the theater, the apartments, and arts organizations.

Chief Wolever said that although the explosion occurred in the basement, where three boilers are housed, he doesn t think the blast was a result of boiler failure.

We re looking into the vicinity of the boilers because that s where it appears the explosion took place, he said.

The investigation, which was halted just before dark yesterday, could take several days.

The lower walls and facade were knocked out and debris and glass littered the front of the building at 419 St. Clair St. Stone, wood, and drywall were hurled across the street.

Inside the first floor of the building, wall and ceiling panels, light fixtures, and doors were damaged, but there was little damage to apartments on the upper floors, Chief Wolever said.

No damage estimate was available last night.

Sixty-seven people were evacuated from the 54-unit building and initially taken to Four SeaGate. Five were taken to hospitals; they were not injured by the explosion but were treated for conditions exacerbated by the blast, Chief Wolever said.

Fire officials have identified the injured as Marcia Ali, 68; Dennise Rankin, 57, and Joe Matthews, whose age was unavailable. They were taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center shortly before 2 a.m.

Sheryl Watson and a man authorities identified as Joe Magn were taken to Toledo Hospital. Ms. Watson was released, a hospital spokesman said.

The explosion in the basement of the theater complex was reported about 1:30 a.m. yesterday, setting off alarms inside the four-story building that houses the theater and apartments on three floors above.

A second alarm was dispatched moments after the first crews arrived at the scene.

The boilers in the basement were fueled by natural gas and provided heat to the more than 100-year-old building, Chief Wolever said.

The force of the explosion broke several water pipes, causing minor water damage inside the basement of the Valentine Theatre.

Nearly three dozen of the displaced residents relocated late yesterday morning to the YMCA on Bush and Summit streets, where the Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross set up a temporary shelter, spokesman Kristen Cajka said. Others were picked up by family or friends.

The remaining residents spent last night at Hotel SeaGate.

Ms. Cajka said most of the displaced residents were doing well considering what they had been through.

Several streets surrounding the building, including Superior and St. Clair streets and Adams Street, will remain closed until the investigation is complete, Chief Wolever said. Police and fire command posts were set up to secure the scene through the night.

Chief Wolever said he is unsure when residents will be able to return home.

Woodrow Dodge, 70, said he was asleep in his apartment when the explosion shook him awake.

Alarms began sounding and police entered the building to wake residents who were not roused by the explosion, he said.

Another resident said he was about to go to bed in his third-floor apartment when he heard the boom and felt the vibration.

I thought it was something going on in the Valentine Theatre, said Ray Patrick, 73, explaining that some performances can be heard in the apartments.

He said he looked at the clock and realized it was too late for that.

I heard the alarms going off and I knew I had to get out of there and on down to the street, Mr. Patrick said.

Residents were evacuated by police and firefighters. Some were carried to the ground floor, and several elderly people in wheelchairs were pushed across the street to the shelter in the basement of Four SeaGate.

A TARTA bus was stationed to provide shelter from the 27-degree temperature.

The Toledo Fire Department sent at least nine engines and three trucks.

The Renaissance Senior Apartments have been inspected by the Toledo Fire Department almost annually since 2000. According to the records, there haven t been any serious violations reported in recent years.

Inspectors noted the need for batteries in the building s exit and emergency lights in May.

The 1895-era theater closed in the mid-1970s. In the early 1980s, a community group rallied to save the historic building from the wrecking ball.

The $28 million project was completed in 1999 and includes apartments and assisted living on the second floor. Much of the first floor is devoted to common areas for residents and offices for arts organizations.

Apartment Manager Troy Alexander said she was heartbroken over the incident.

I had been here earlier serving Thanksgiving dinner, she said.

Blade staff writers Jane Schmucker, Ignazio Messina, and Mike Sigov contributed to this report.

Contact Laren Weber at lweber@theblade.com, or 419-724-6064.

First Published November 24, 2007, 12:42 p.m.