Multiple explosions rocked the Clairton Coke Works, a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh, on Monday, killing two people and injuring 10 others, according to company officials and local authorities.
The blasts occurred just before 11 a.m. ET at the facility, part of a vast industrial complex along the Monongahela River. Firefighters battled heavy smoke and flames, while initial reports indicated two people were missing. One was later found alive and taken to a hospital, while the other was found deceased after an extensive search.
The cause of the explosions remains under investigation, with Allegheny County Police describing the probe as “time-consuming and technical.” US Steel CEO David Burritt said the company is cooperating with authorities to determine what happened.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed the incident on X, urging residents near the site to follow safety instructions from local officials. Several injured individuals were taken to hospital burn units, though their conditions remain unclear.
Air quality monitors detected no significant rise in sulfur dioxide levels, but residents within one mile of the plant were told to remain indoors, shut windows and doors, and set HVAC systems to recirculate.
The Clairton Coke Works is the largest coke manufacturing plant in the United States, employing around 1,300 workers and producing 4.3 million tons of coke annually. Coke, made by heating coal at high temperatures, is a key ingredient in steelmaking.
In June, Nippon Steel completed its $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel after an 18-month review over national security concerns. The plant has been a part of Pittsburgh’s steelmaking heritage since the late 19th century, though the industry has declined in recent decades.
