Deadly Explosions Rock US Steel Clairton Coke Works
It’s been a devastating day for the city of Clairton, Pennsylvania. Multiple explosions tore through the US Steel Clairton Coke Works plant late Monday morning, killing two people and injuring ten others. The blasts happened just before 11 a.m., sending heavy black smoke billowing into the sky and shaking the surrounding area.
Construction worker Zachary Buday, who was working less than half a mile away, described the moment as sounding “like thunder” — not just a noise, but a force that rattled his chest, shook the scaffold he was standing on, and even made the building tremble. Within moments, he and his crew saw a dark plume rising over the steel mill, visible from Route 837. While flames weren’t clearly seen from his vantage point, the thick smoke was undeniable.
Emergency crews from across the region rushed to the scene. Firefighters battled intense flames while ambulances transported the injured — several reportedly sent to burn units. At one point, two workers were unaccounted for, but one was later found alive and taken to the hospital. The second was among the fatalities.
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Officials have not yet determined the cause of the explosion, but Allegheny County Police say the investigation will be complex and time-consuming. US Steel’s president and CEO, David Burritt, stated the company is working closely with local authorities to understand what happened.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed the explosions and urged residents nearby to follow safety guidance from local officials. While air monitors did not detect dangerous sulfur dioxide levels, those living within a mile of the plant were advised to stay indoors, close all windows, switch HVAC systems to recirculate, and limit outdoor activity.
The Clairton Coke Works is the largest coke manufacturing facility in the United States, employing about 1,300 workers. It produces over 4 million tonnes of coke annually — a critical component in steelmaking, created by heating coal to extremely high temperatures. The plant sits along the Monongahela River, in an area long associated with America’s steel industry, though that industry has faced decades of decline.
This explosion comes just two months after Nippon Steel completed its $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel, a deal that took 18 months to clear government scrutiny due to national security concerns. The plant has been a cornerstone of Clairton’s identity for over a century, making today’s tragedy a heavy blow for both the workforce and the community.
For now, the fire has been brought under control and the thick black smoke has largely dissipated, but the scene remains active. Sirens still echo through the area, and investigators are just beginning the difficult work of piecing together what went wrong on this tragic summer day.
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