Live updates: Explosion at US Steel Clairton Coke Works

CNN

a day ago

Update:
Date: 2 min ago
Title: Allegheny County health officials advise nearby residents to stay indoors
Content:
Officials from the Allegheny County Health Department are advising residents within one mile of the explosion at the Clairton Coke Works to remain indoors and keep their windows closed.
'Out of an abundance of caution, residents within one mile of the plant are advised 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,' a statement from the department says. 'ACHD Air Quality monitors have not detected levels of PM2.5 and So2 above federal standards. We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.'
The department is 'actively monitoring the explosion … in coordination with emergency responders,' the statement says.
Update:
Date: 4 min ago
Title: Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. urges residents to stay clear from area
Content:
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis urged residents to stay away from the area right now to allow emergency crews to work through in the aftermath of an explosion at the Clairton Coke Works Monday morning.
'The Mon Valley is my home, and I know people that work at the Clairton Coke Works,' Davis wrote on X. 'Blayre and I are praying for the workers and their families, and I've been in contact with local leaders and the Steelworkers. The Commonwealth is providing whatever resources and manpower are needed to help with emergency response.'
Update:
Date: 10 min ago
Title: Sen. John Fetterman says he grieves for families of steelworkers
Content:
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman said his thoughts are with the families of steelworkers at the US Steel Clairton Coke Works facility where an explosion has reportedly injured dozens and trapped people beneath rubble.
'I grieve for these families, and again, I'm proud to stand with the steelworkers,' Fetterman told local reporters near the scene, soon after he arrived.
'Without a doubt, this is tragic, what's happened,' Fetterman said, adding he does not know the extent of the damage to the facility. 'It's just heartbreaking,' he added.
Update:
Date: 15 min ago
Title: Clairton Coke Works' recent history of incidents, concerns and lawsuits
Content:
In February, a problem with a battery at the plant led to a 'buildup of combustible material' that ignited, causing an audible 'boom,' the Allegheny County Health Department said. Two workers who got material in their eyes received first aid treatment at a local hospital but were not seriously injured.
In recent years, the Clairton plant has been dogged by concerns about pollution. In 2019, it agreed to settle a 2017 lawsuit for $8.5 million. Under the settlement, the company agreed to spend $6.5 million to reduce soot emissions and noxious odors from the Clairton coke-making facility, on the Monongahela River about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh.
The company also faced other lawsuits over pollution from the Clairton facility, including ones accusing the company of violating clean air laws after a December 2018 fire damaged the Clairton facility's sulfur pollution controls.
Update:
Date: 21 min ago
Title: 2 being treated at UPMC Mercy Hospital, spokesperson says
Content:
Two people are receiving treatment at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, a spokesperson tells CNN.
'We are treating two patients at UPMC Mercy, which is the region's only level one trauma and burn center,' the spokesperson said.
Update:
Date: 35 min ago
Title: Live camera captures moment of explosion at US steel plant
Content:
Video captured the moment the explosion took place and smoke followed at a US Steel coking plant near Pittsburgh on Monday morning.
Around 10:30 a.m. a live camera captured the moment the explosion took place at the Clairton Coke Work facility, followed by a large plume of smoke.
Watch the moment here:
The moment was captured on a live camera that is streamed from BreatheProject, a group that advocates for improvements to air quality in the Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania area.
The 'Breathe Cam' rolls 24 hours a day and is set on the Clairton plant, according to the Breathe Project.
Video credit: CMU CREATE Lab/Breathe Project
Update:
Date: 28 min ago
Title: The scene is still active, Pennsylvania governor says
Content:
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his administration is in touch with local officials in Clairton.
'The scene is still active, and folks nearby should follow the direction of local authorities, ' Shapiro wrote on X. 'Please join Lori and me in praying for the Clairton community.'
Update:
Date: 5 min ago
Title: Video shows grey smoke after explosion
Content:
Amy Sowers was sitting on her porch when an explosion rocked the nearby industrial plant. Sowers lives less than a quarter mile from the US Steel Clairton Coke Works, she said.
'My house shook very hard,' Sowers, 49, who has lived most of her life in Clairton, said. 'We are all safe but very scared to go outside because of what's being released into the air right now,' she added.
Videos taken by Sowers shortly after the explosion show plumes of gray smoke rising off the facility. She says she heard the explosion at around 10:40 a.m.
'The first responders are still coming in and there are helicopters flying around,' she said.
Update:
Date: 29 min ago
Title: What is Clairton Coke Works?
Content:
Clairton Coke Works is part of the US Steel manufacturing complex in Western Pennsylvania and is thought to be the largest coking facility in North America.
The plant processes raw coal into coke, a primary component in steelmaking, by heating the coal in an oxygen-free environment to remove impurities.
The massive, 392-acre facility sits along the banks of the Monongahela River, in Clairton, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
In June, Japan's Nippon Steel finalized its deal to buy 100% of US Steel, which was once America's largest company.
Update:
Date: 31 min ago
Title: People are trapped beneath rubble, county spokesperson says
Content:
Authorities are conducting a rescue operation for people trapped beneath rubble following reports of an explosion Monday at the Clairton Coke Works, a spokesperson for Allegheny County confirmed.
'There is rescue operation underway for people trapped under the rubble,' Allegheny County Communications Director Abigail Gardner said. 'The Health Department is on site monitoring air quality. We will release more information when we can.'
Update:
Date: 26 min ago
Title: Deli's doors flew open from explosion, employee says
Content:
Deanna Forkey, an employee at a deli near Clairton Coke Works, describes hearing a loud explosion that caused the deli's doors to fly open.
There is heavy black smoke in the area, Forkey told CNN, but the deli is still serving customers and making deliveries. Foot traffic, however, has dropped significantly due to road closures, she said.
One customer came in visibly nervous and concerned, mentioning they have a friend who works at the plant.