Fatal Plum Explosion: More Homes To Be Demolished

PITTSBURGH – Three more homes will have to be demolished after the deadly Aug. 12 explosion on Rustic Ride Drive that killed six people.

According to an update from the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office, 10 other homes are currently uninhabitable. They won't necessarily have to be torn down, but property owners will have to have an engineer analyze the structures to determine the next steps.

The victims of the incident were all found on the same property. One victim was located outside of the garage area. Four victims were located inside of the basement level. One victim was located and rescued from the rear yard and transported to a trauma center. That sixth victim died a few days later.

Among the dead were borough manager Michael Thomas and Heather Oravitz, the borough community development director.

What happens next? First responders, witnesses, homeowners, and occupants will be interviewed to gather information while the investigative team also gathers photographs, video, drone imagery, and 3-D scans.

Investigators work from outside of the incident site towards the inside of the incident. In the event of an explosion, ACFM would work with gas companies to do explosive gas readings and bar-hole testing.

The State Department of Environmental Protection has assessed the coal seam in Plum found no nearby shafts or drill/bore holes in the vicinity of the incident and determined the likelihood of an abandoned mine-related gas issue to be very low.

The Plum Borough School District said in a statement that it will continue to support those grieving the loss of their classmate, Keegan Clontz, 12, and the other community members who died.

"Research tells us that it is important to return the school to its normal routines as quickly as possible and that is what we will do when our students return to start the new school year on August 23rd.," the district said in the statement.

"With your help, we can identify and refer students who may be at risk to our counselors and social workers. Oftentimes post-traumatic stress will occur in the days, weeks, and months following the event. Please take good care of yourself and your family members."