CLAIRTON, Pa. — Two people were killed and 10 others were injured in an explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant on Monday.
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The explosion happened just before 11 a.m., inside coke oven batteries 13 and 14.
Initially, two people were missing after the blast. One of those missing workers was rescued from the rubble before 5 p.m. and flown to an area hospital.
Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matthew Brown confirmed in a 9 p.m. press conference that the second worker was found deceased. He’s since been extricated and is now in the hands of the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The other worker killed was identifed by a family member as Timothy Quinn.
Of the 10 people taken to hospitals, five have already been released. The other five are in critical but stable conditions. Officials say there were also an unknown number of people treated on scene.
A mass casualty incident was declared after the explosion to allow for additional EMS resources from across the region to respond. In total, Allegheny County officials say 14 fire departments and 20 EMS agencies assisted.
Soon after the explosion, the Allegheny County Health Department, out of an abundance of caution, advised residents within one mile of the plant to remain indoors, close all windows and doors, set HVAC systems to recirculate and avoid activities that draw in outside air, such as using exhaust fans. That advisory was lifted by 6:30 p.m.
At this point, Brown says recovery efforts are complete. But the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and the extent of the damage isn’t fully known.
The Allegheny County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating alongside the fire marshal and ATF.
County officials say several secondary explosions were reported, but caused no additional injuries.
David B. Burritt, the president and CEO of U.S. Steel, said the company is committed to providing resources to those impacted by the tragedy.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to our emergency response team, who acted immediately in the wake of this tragic incident, and to all who provided support on site,” his statement says in part. “I know that here in Clairton, and across our U. S. Steel family, people are hurting. Let’s continue to do what we do best — stand together and support one another through these hard times. Counselors are available on site and remotely for anyone who needs them."
Woman says her brother was man killed in U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant explosion
A woman confirms to Channel 11 that her brother, Timothy Quinn, was the man killed in an explosion at the US Steel Clairton Coke Works plant on Monday morning.
Initially, Channel 11 spoke with Trisha Quinn when she couldn’t find her brother, who she thought was seriously hurt or killed in the explosion.
Trisha says her brother’s partner at the steel mill told her that he was loaded into an ambulance after the explosion. At the time, she was told he looked like he may have been deceased, but she didn’t have any concrete answers.
“The steel mill is not giving families any information, and there’s no crisis line to go to,” Trisha said. “I’ve been on the phone since 12 o’clock. We drove up from Jefferson, my brother’s not here. Families need answers. This is a crisis situation, and we have nobody to call to see where our loved ones are.”
Trisha told us she drove 45 minutes from Jefferson to try and find her brother and provide updates to his three kids.
“We need to know where our loved ones are right now,” Quinn said. What hospital are they stationed at? Are they with us? Are they not with us?”
US Steel plant explosion shakes Clairton community
Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi, a former steelworker himself, said the incident has shaken the community.
“I am sad for everyone. These are my union brothers and sisters,” Lattanzi said. “I am heartbroken about it.”
Residents reported hearing a loud boom followed by seeing thick black smoke rising from the plant on Monday morning. One neighbor, who lives just blocks away, described the frightening scene.
“My thoughts and condolences to the family, and I pray that everyone else in there is okay,” the resident said. “My heart sinks because you’re close by — that could have been one of us.”
While U.S. Steel officials stated that there had been no concerns with the area of the plant where the explosion occurred — and no warning before the blast — Mayor Lattanzi said workers and residents had previously voiced safety concerns.
Monday’s deadly explosion at coke works plant is its second explosion this year
11 Investigates is digging into the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant history. Letters from county officials, health department records and lawsuits shed light on recent issues.
Just six months ago, back on Feb. 5, two workers were injured in an explosion. The health department said there was a hydraulic failure at the plant.
The last deadly incident 11 Investigates can confirm, according to records we sifted through, was in 2014. A man died after he was severely burned in the plant’s quench tower, where water is used to cool down newly made coke.
Click here to read more about the plant’s history of environmental concerns and OSHA investigations.
Newly created search and rescue team called in to help
The newly created Western Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Team was called to the plant. Chief Investigator Rick Earle spoke with the team leader and he confirmed they were requested for search and recovery efforts.
The specialized team was created after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse. Lawmakers allocated funding for an urban search and rescue team to cover the western part of the state. They started the operation just about nine months ago.
Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones is an expert in urban search and rescue. His assistant fire chief, Brian Kokkila, is the leader of that team.
Jones said the members are uniquely qualified to handle this response.
“They have all the tools, they have the training, and most important they have the motivation to go out there and get it done,” Jones said. “That’s a specific level of expertise from that. That’s not just your average, everyday rescue or standard rescue that we would normally see like vehicle rescues or anything like that. This is highly specialized and highly skilled people.”
Chief Jones says this is what’s known as a high-risk, low-frequency operation because it doesn’t happen often and it’s a difficult task.
Clairton community swiftly donates supplies to help those responding to US Steel plant explosion
The outpouring of support for those impacted by Monday’s explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant has been quick and generous, with donations coming in from across the community.
By Monday evening, their garage was lined with stacks of donations.
“I can’t even believe it,” said Kim Shidel, with Jamie’s Dream Team. “I felt bad for the families, other people who went to work this morning, and that have gotten hurt or might not come home.”
Shidel and her group delivered requested items to help those working at the site.
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