Workers trapped under the rubble after explosion at steel plant near Pittsburgh
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An explosion at a steel plant near Pittsburgh left dozens of people injured, with some trapped under rubble as emergency responders tried to rescue them, officials said.
The explosion was reported at the U.S. Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, about 15 miles south of Pittsburgh, just before noon, WTAE reported.
Allegheny County Emergency Services said a fire broke out at the plant around 10:51 a.m. The EMS transported five people, but declined to share their conditions.
There were no confirmed fatalities yet, Abigail Gardner, the director of communications for Allegheny County, told the Associated Press.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his administration was working with local officials in their response to the incident.
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โThe scene is still active, and folks nearby should follow the direction of local authorities,โ Shapiro wrote. โPlease join Lori and me in praying for the Clairton community.โ
Clairton Mayor Rich Lattanzi wrote on social media that he was โasking for multiple ambulancesโ to be sent to the scene.
โMy prayers go out to anyone involved in this tragedy and their families and the community,โ he said.
Zachy Buday, a construction worker near the scene, told WTAE that the explosion sounded like thunder.
โIt shook my chest. It shook the building, then we saw the dark smoke rising from the steel mill,โ Buday said. โPut two and two together. Itโs like something bad happened.โ
Buday said he couldnโt see the fire that erupted from the plant, but saw the thick gray smoke clouding over the area.
โLots of ambulances, lots of sirens. It sounded like thunder,โ he added.
Allegheny County Emergency Services, which responded to the fire, declined to provide any additional details, saying it was an โactive scene.โ
The Clairton Coke Works is considered the largest coking operation in North America. Coking is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen to above 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit to drive off the volatile components of the raw coal.
This is a breaking news story, check back for updates…
