An explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh killed two workers, injured at least 10, and forced emergency crews to search charred rubble for survivors.
Marc Levy, Gene Puskar, Michael Casey, and Patrick Whittle report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The blast and smaller follow-up explosions shook nearby neighborhoods, sending thick black smoke into the air. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
- Residents recalled past accidents and pollution problems at the plant, which has faced lawsuits and fines over safety and air quality violations.
- Officials lifted an early air-quality advisory after monitoring showed pollution levels within federal standards.
Key quote:
"How many more lives are going to have to be lost until something happens?"
— Amy Sowers, Clairton resident
Why this matters:
The Clairton Coke Works, North America’s largest coke-making plant, has faced repeated safety and air-quality violations. The plant has paid millions in settlements and agreed to major equipment upgrades, but lawsuits and community complaints over toxic emissions — including carbon monoxide, methane, and sulfur dioxide — have persisted.
Learn more:
- Coal-based steelmaking in Pennsylvania causes up to 92 premature deaths and $1.4 billion in health costs every year: Report
- Kids in Clairton are experiencing decreased lung function following the Clairton Coke Works fire
- Coke plant pollution linked to “asthma epidemic” in Pittsburgh-area elementary school
- Breathless: Pittsburgh's asthma epidemic and the fight to stop it
