Deadly explosion at 2 coking facilities at Clairton Coke Works site also injured 10.
1 of 6 | Authorities responded to the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works after an explosion on Monday. Two workers were killed and 10 others were injured. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Two workers were killed and 10 others were injured after an explosion Monday rocked the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant in Pennsylvania.
One of the workers, who had been reported missing for much of the day, was found dead Monday night, according to officials who said the search and rescue mission has now come to an end.
“The crews have been working vigorously to find two accounted workers. They did successfully find one worker and rescued that worker earlier today,” Matt Brown, chief of Allegheny County Emergency Services, told reporters.
“Unfortunately as the rescue and the search continued here this evening, I am here to report that we do now have a second deceased worker,” Brown said, adding that while the search for missing workers is now over, the investigation into the cause of the blast has just begun.
Nearly 1,300 employees work at the plant about 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, which is known as Steel City.
The explosion, which occurred before 11 a.m. EDT, could be felt miles away. The Allegheny County Health Department initially advised people who live within a mile to stay inside and close the windows but that was later lifted because air-quality levels were not detected above federal standards.
One worker who died at a hospital was identified as 39-year-old Timothy Quinn by his sister Trisha Quinn, who spoke with WPXI-TV. He was the father of three and his mother’s caregiver.
“We are heartbroken to share that a U. S. Steel colleague lost their life today,” David B. Burritt, president and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Steel posted on Facebook. “And we have other employees who are injured and one we’re still searching for. To the families affected, our hearts are with you. We are committed to providing every possible resource and support during this unimaginably difficult time. The work we do is important and often challenging, but it should never, under any circumstances, come at the expense of safety.”
Five victims taken to Allegheny Health Network’s Jefferson Hospital were discharged, WTAE-TV reported. One person went to the network’s Level 1 trauma center, Allegheny General Hospital, and another to Forbes Hospital. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said three patients were taken to Mercy Hospital.
Also, two medics were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Victor Joseph, the assistant superintendent for Allegheny County Police, said during a news conference that one missing person was found and taken to a hospital.
One worker was unaccounted for for much of Monday. Personnel actively searched for the worker with a general idea of the location, Scott Buckiso, executive vice president and chief manufacturing officer for U.S. Steel, said at the briefing. The worker, who has not been identified, was found deceased hours later.
He said the plant is stable and the cause of the explosion is unclear.
“It’s very preliminary,” Buckiso said. “We don’t have any details right now.”
Before the news conference, U.S. Steel explained the explosion involved coke batteries 13 and 14. They were shut down. KDKA-TV reported the batteries are in a room that serves as a mechanical regulator to make sure coal bakes evenly in the oven.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees and the environment,” Burritt wrote in a post on Facebook.
He later wrote: “We will thoroughly investigate the cause of this incident. I end every meeting and every message with the words, ‘Let’s get back to work safely.’ That commitment has never been more important, and we will honor it.”
The Allegheny County Police Department’s Homicide Unit will lead the investigation in conjunction with the Allegheny County Fire Marshal and ATF, the county government posted on Facebook.
Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on X that “multiple explosions” occurred at the plant. “Injured employees have now been transported to local hospitals to receive care, and search-and-rescue efforts remain active at the plant.”
Officials later said secondary ones that didn’t cause any major injuries.
At 10:50 a.m. EDT, emergency medical services received a call for an “ongoing situation” at the plant for a potential mass casualty event, Reigner told the Post-Gazette.
A Level 3 Mass Casualty incident was declared and more resources across the region were deployed. That includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Pittsburgh Field Office.
Matthew Brown, chief of Allegheny County EMS, said 20 EMS agencies and 14 local fire departments were called to the scene.
WTAE-TV’s helicopter shows video of fire crews battling flames while ambulances rushed to the area.
Breathe Project, which is a coalition of experts and residents in Pittsburgh seeking to improve air quality, captured when the explosion occurred.
“Felt like thunder,” Zachary Buday, who was working close to the scene, told WTAE. “Shook the scaffold, shook my chest, then shook the building. Then we saw the smoke coming up from the steel mill.”
He said there wasn’t fire but black smoke.
Deanna Forkey, who works at a deli near the plant, told CNN the explosion caused the business’ doors to fly open.
The United Steelworkers Union confirmed several workers were injured.
“While we are still determining the scope of the tragedy, we are aware that multiple workers are receiving medical treatment for their injuries,” USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall said in a statement to CNN. “In the coming days, we will work with the appropriate authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and to see that our members get the support they need.”
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who grew up near the area in McKeesport, posted on X: “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.”
“The mill is such a big part of Clairton,” Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi told KDKA. “For anyone that works, how old or young you are, you have to work every day, you need to go home healthy, and some people are not going to see the same husband or son or somebody that’s working the mill. It’s just a sad day for Clairton.”
Sen. John Fetterman, who serves Pennsylvanians and appeared at the news conference, wrote on X: “My team and I are tracking this explosion and waiting for
Clairton Coke Works, which is 392 acres situated along the Monongahela River, is considered the largest coke manufacturing plant in North America with several million tons produced annually.
In the process, raw coal is turned into coke, which is used in steelmaking.
The company’s headquarters are in Pittsburgh.
U.S. Steel, which was founded in 1901, has about 22,000 employees with revenue of $15.6 billion in 2024.
In May, President Donald Trump announced a partnership with Japan’s Nippon Steel Corporation. He also said there would be a 50% tariff on imported steel. He appeared at the Edgar Thomas Plant near Braddock.
Pennsylvania has the most injury reports at steel mills, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Nationwide over 10 years, there were 266 severe injuries in steel mills, including 194 that required hospitalizations and 98 in amputations, according to OSHA.
The Clairton plant settled a 2017 suit for $8.5 million over pollution, including $6.5 million to reduce soot emissions and noxious odors, CNN reported.
