1 Dead, Dozens Injured In Explosion At Pittsburgh U.S. Steel Plant

UPDATED: 2::30 p.m.

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PITTSBURGH, PA — One person died, dozens of people were injured and multiple people trapped Monday following an explosion at the U.S. Steel Coke Works in Clairton near Pittsburgh.

Allegheny County Emergency Services and Allegheny County Police confirmed at least one fatality in connection with the incident and two people are unaccounted for.

In a statement, the joint agencies said: "Officials can confirm there has been one fatality in connection with this incident. Two people are currently believed to be unaccounted for, and multiple individuals have been treated for additional injuries. The status of those individuals is not known at this time."

Allegheny County Emergency Services said a fire at the plant started around 10:51 a.m.cGov. Josh Shapiro issued the following statement on social media.

"The Commonwealth is here to provide any resources needed.

"Injured employees have now been transported to local hospitals to receive care, and search-and-rescue efforts remain active at the plant. If you’re in the area, continue to follow the instructions of local authorities.

"Lori and I are eternally thankful for the bravery of our first responders — and we continue to pray for the entire Clairton community."

The cause of the explosion has not been determined.

The plant is located long the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh and is considered the largest coking operation in North America. It's one of four major U.S. Steel plants in Pennsylvania that employ several thousand workers.

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who formerly served as the mayor of nearby Braddock, called the explosion “absolutely tragic."

“I grieve for these families,” Fetterman said. “I stand with the steelworkers.”

The county health department is asking all residents within a mile of the incident area to stay inside, close all windows and doors, set HVAC systems to recirculate, and avoid activities that draw in outside air out caution.

"ACHD air quality monitors have not detected levels of PM2.5 and SO2 above federal standards," the department said in a statement that virtually no one will understand.

The department says it is actively monitoring the situation.

PennEnvironment is calling for a thorough probe into the incident. Executive Director David Masur released the following statement:

"Firstand foremost, PennEnvironment is sending out our thoughts and prayers to the individuals caught in this catastrophic accident and their families, as well as the local community members in and around Clairton, Pennsylvania."

"PennEnvironment and the Clean Air Council sued U.S. Steel back in 2019 alleging that the crumbling, poorly maintained, highly polluting Clairton plant posed a health threat to communities across the Mon Valley, as well as to its own workers. We need a full, independent investigation into the causes of this latest catastrophe and a re-evaluation as to whether the Clairton plant is fit to keep operating.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.