Two people were killed and at least 10 others were injured after multiple explosions occurred at the U.S. Clairton Coke plant in Pennsylvania Monday morning. LATEST CONFIRMED INFORMATIONTwo people dead One person rescued 10 people injured In addition to the two people who have died, 10 people were taken to local area hospitals, according to the US Steel and county officials. We’re also told that two medics were taken to the hospital for evaluation. Officials also say multiple people were treated at the scene, but an exact number of those treated was not immediately listed. Five of those people who were taken to AHN in Jefferson Hills for treatment following the explosion have all been released from the hospital. It was previously reported that two people were unaccounted for, but officials said during a 3 p.m. press conference Monday that one person was rescued and transported to a local hospital for treatment. “We’re still engaged in the incident,” Matthew Brown, chief of Allegheny County EMS said during the conference. “Our focus continues searching for one person who remains unaccounted for.” Another press briefing was held just before 9 p.m., where officials said a second victim was found dead. Brown said the medical examiner was called to the scene and is working to notify family members. Officials say the search and rescue mission has now come to an end. Brown said 20 EMS agencies and 14 local fire departments were called to the scene to assist in the rescue and search efforts. Officials were first dispatched to the scene before 11 a.m. Officials said the plant is now stable, and the Fire Marshal is investigating. No additional details on the extent of injuries have been released. Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a post on X prior to the conference that multiple explosions occurred at the plant and that employees rescued have been taken to local area hospitals. “Multiple explosions occurred today at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works in Clairton, PA,” Shapiro said in the post. “Injured employees have now been transported to local hospitals to receive care, and search-and-rescue efforts remain active at the plant.”He continued, saying in part: “If you’re in the area, continue to follow the instructions of local authorities.”Shapiro said his administration is in touch with local officials in the area as they respond.<<
Two people were killed and at least 10 others were injured after multiple explosions occurred at the U.S. Clairton Coke plant in Pennsylvania Monday morning.
LATEST CONFIRMED INFORMATION
- Two people dead
- One person rescued
- 10 people injured
In addition to the two people who have died, 10 people were taken to local area hospitals, according to the US Steel and county officials.
We’re also told that two medics were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Officials also say multiple people were treated at the scene, but an exact number of those treated was not immediately listed.
Five of those people who were taken to AHN in Jefferson Hills for treatment following the explosion have all been released from the hospital.
It was previously reported that two people were unaccounted for, but officials said during a 3 p.m. press conference Monday that one person was rescued and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
“We’re still engaged in the incident,” Matthew Brown, chief of Allegheny County EMS said during the conference. “Our focus continues searching for one person who remains unaccounted for.”
Another press briefing was held just before 9 p.m., where officials said a second victim was found dead. Brown said the medical examiner was called to the scene and is working to notify family members.
Officials say the search and rescue mission has now come to an end.
Brown said 20 EMS agencies and 14 local fire departments were called to the scene to assist in the rescue and search efforts. Officials were first dispatched to the scene before 11 a.m.
Officials said the plant is now stable, and the Fire Marshal is investigating.
No additional details on the extent of injuries have been released.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a post on X prior to the conference that multiple explosions occurred at the plant and that employees rescued have been taken to local area hospitals.
“Multiple explosions occurred today at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works in Clairton, PA,” Shapiro said in the post. “Injured employees have now been transported to local hospitals to receive care, and search-and-rescue efforts remain active at the plant.”
He continued, saying in part: “If you’re in the area, continue to follow the instructions of local authorities.”
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Shapiro said his administration is in touch with local officials in the area as they respond.
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U.S. STEEL RELEASES STATEMENT
Prior to the press conference, U.S. Steel released a statement saying the incident occurred “specifically at coke oven batteries 13 and 14” inside the plant.
David B. Burritt, president and chief executive officer of the United States Steel Corporation, released a statement in the post, saying, in part: “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees and the environment. We are working closely with relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and will provide additional updates as they become available.”
The statement continued, saying, “nearly 1,300 dedicated men and women work at the Clairton Plant each day, performing their jobs with the utmost safety. During times like this, U. S. Steel employees come together to extend their love, prayers, and support to everyone affected.”
ALLEGHENY HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOTICE:
The Allegheny County Health Department has lifted its ‘Stay Indoors’ advisory for residents who live within a mile of the plant.
Officials say no county air quality monitors have recorded an exceedance since the incident.
Residents are being told they may resume their normal activities.
Video from Sky 4, Pittsburgh’s only news helicopter, captured fire crews battling flames as ambulances rushed to the scene.
A time-lapse from the Breathe Project captured the moment the explosion happened and the black smoke that followed.
OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY RESPOND TO EXPLOSIONS
Lt. Governor Austin Davis, who grew up in McKeesport, also released a statement: “The Commonwealth is providing whatever resources and manpower are needed to help with emergency response. Please stay away from the area at this time to allow emergency crews to do their job and follow all future guidance from officials for those that live nearby.”
Rep. Summer Lee said her heart is with the workers at the Clairton plant.
“My team and I are aware of the tragic explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant. My heart is with the workers, especially those injured or trapped, their families, first responders, USW members, and the entire Clairton community. I am deeply grateful to the emergency personnel, medical teams, and rescue crews who are responding with courage and urgency. My office remains committed to ensuring that every affected worker and family receives the support and resources they need.”
Reporter Yazmin Rodriguez spoke with Zachary Buday, who was working close to the scene during the explosion.
“Felt like thunder. Shook the scaffold, shook my chest, then shook the building. Then we saw the smoke coming up from the steel mill,” Buday said.
Buday says he didn’t see fire, but spotted the black smoke that was rising from the area.
In recent years, the Clairton plant has been dogged by concerns about pollution. In 2019, it agreed to settle a 2017 lawsuit for $8.5 million. Under the settlement, the company agreed to spend $6.5 million to reduce soot emissions and noxious odors from the Clairton coke-making facility, on the Monongahela River about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh.
The company also faced other lawsuits over pollution from the Clairton facility, including ones accusing the company of violating clean air laws after a December 2018 fire damaged the Clairton facility’s sulfur pollution controls.
VIDEO FROM SKY 4
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