CLAIRTON, Pa. (AP) — An explosion occurred at a steel plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, on Monday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring 10 others. Among those injured, one individual was rescued from the rubble after being trapped for several hours.
The explosion produced dense black smoke that rose into the midday sky over the Mon Valley, a region known for its long history in steel production. The Allegheny County Emergency Services reported that the fire at the Clairton plant began late Monday morning, but the cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.
Zachary Buday, a construction worker nearby, described the blast as something akin to thunder, stating, “It shook the scaffold, shook my chest, and shook the building,” in an interview with WTAE-TV.
At a news conference, Scott Buckiso, the chief manufacturing officer of U.S. Steel, which operates the plant as a subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Steel Corp., did not provide specifics on the extent of damage or the number of casualties. He confirmed that the company is collaborating with local authorities to investigate the incident.
Seven patients from the plant were treated at the Allegheny Health Network, with five of them being discharged shortly after treatment. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center also treated three patients at UPMC Mercy, the only level one trauma and burn center in the region.
The Clairton plant employs approximately 1,400 workers. The United Steelworkers union, representing many of the plant's employees, has positioned representatives on-site to guarantee a thorough investigation into the explosion.
David Masur, the executive director of PennEnvironment, an environmental group that has previously filed lawsuits against U.S. Steel regarding pollution, is calling for a comprehensive, independent investigation into this latest incident and wants to assess whether the Clairton plant should continue its operations.
U.S. Steel's CEO David B. Burritt stated that the company would conduct its own investigation into the explosion.
This is not the first time the Clairton plant has experienced an explosion; in September 2009, a maintenance worker lost their life in a similar incident. Another explosion in July 2010 resulted in injuries to 14 employees and six contractors. OSHA records note a workplace fatality in 2014 when a worker was burned after falling into a trench.
Following the 2010 explosion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) levied a fine of $175,000 against U.S. Steel and a subcontractor for safety violations. U.S. Steel contested these fines, which were later reduced under a settlement agreement.
Earlier this year, in February, a battery issue at the plant caused a buildup of combustible material, resulting in an audible explosion. Although two workers required first aid, they were not seriously injured.
Air quality was also a concern following the explosion. The plant is recognized as the largest coking facility in North America and is one of four major U.S. Steel plants located in Pennsylvania. The facility converts coal into coke, a vital ingredient in the steel-making process. The process involves baking coal in special ovens at high temperatures to remove impurities, producing coke gas, which contains hazardous compounds such as methane and carbon monoxide.
Initially, the county health department advised residents living within one mile of the plant to remain indoors and close all windows and doors. However, this advisory was later lifted as air quality monitors did not detect levels of soot or sulfur dioxide exceeding federal standards.
In June, U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel announced they had finalized a partnership agreement that grants the U.S. government some oversight in certain matters. This deal was reached after more than a year of negotiations, during which national security concerns and political factors complicated the takeover of the iconic American steelmaker.
