Law enforcement officials have confirmed that an explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works Plant, which is located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, left two dead and 10 injured on Monday.
According to ABC News, Allegheny County police officials noted that a rescue operation was launched after the explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant left individuals trapped under rubble. The outlet reported that five of the injured individuals remain in critical but stable condition, while the other five injured individuals were released after receiving treatment from a local hospital.
The Associated Press reported that the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office identified one of the two individuals killed in Monday’s explosion as 39-year-old Timothy Quinn.
Zachary Buday, a construction worker who was near the explosion on Monday, told WTAE that the explosion sounded like thunder.
READ MORE: Explosion leaves 2 dead, 10+ injured in Pennsylvania
“It shook my chest. It shook the building, then we saw the dark smoke rising from the steel mill,” Buday stated. “Put two and two together. It’s like something bad happened.”
Videos shared on X, formerly Twitter, show huge plumes of smoke rising from the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant on Monday, as well as emergency responders trying to secure the site of the explosion.
“At 10:51 am, Allegheny County 9-1-1 was notified of an explosion inside a battery operating area at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works,” Allegheny County officials said.
Allegheny County officials confirmed that while multiple secondary explosions were reported following the initial explosion on Monday, the secondary explosions “did not cause any major injuries.”
Prior to the confirmation regarding a second death in Monday’s explosion, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said, “We are grateful for local first responders who rushed to the scene this morning. Our thoughts are with the US Steel workers who sustained injuries and family members who tragically lost a loved one today. In our initial conversations with US Steel, they’ve promised full transparency and partnership, and we will expect nothing less as the investigation continues.”
In a statement obtained by ABC News, U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt confirmed that the company is working with officials to investigate the cause of Monday’s explosion.
“Nearly 1,300 dedicated men and women work at the Clairton Plant each day, performing their jobs with the utmost safety,” Burritt stated. “During times like this, U.S. Steel employees come together to extend their love, prayers, and support to everyone affected.”
