US Steel's Clairton coke plant explodes in Pennsylvania

Officials responded Aug. 11 to an explosion at US Steel's Clairton Coke Works plant, the largest coke manufacturing facility in the US.

The Clairton plant, located 20 miles south of Pittsburgh, operates 10 coke oven batteries producing 4.3 million mt/year of coke, according to US Steel's website.

It is not immediately clear how the explosion will affect company operations.

The incident took place at 10:50 a.m. between batteries 13 and 14 at the plant, Scott Buckiso, US Steel's senior vice president and chief manufacturing officer, said at an Aug. 11 news conference. The two batteries have shut down, but the plant is stable, he said. He added that the batteries were in good condition from an environmental, productivity and safety perspective.

"This is an active scene and still an active investigation," Buckiso said.

It's unclear what caused the explosion.

"Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees and the environment. We are working closely with relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and will provide additional updates as they become available," US Steel President and CEO David Burritt said in a statement to Platts, a part of S&P Global Energy.

Local officials said one person died and one remains unaccounted for. First responders rescued another person hours after the explosion and took them to a local hospital.

Around 10 people were injured in the explosion, Allegheny County Police Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph told reporters at a press conference.

"This will be a time-consuming, technical investigation that's going to take some time," he said.

Video from local media shows an explosion with a cloud of black smoke rising from the facility. Footage also shows firefighters battling flames. Multiple injuries have been reported from the explosion, according to Allegheny County police.

"My administration is in touch with local officials in Clairton, Penn. as they respond to an explosion at US Steel Clairton Coke Works plant this morning," Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro wrote in a post on X. "The scene is still active, and folks nearby should follow the direction of local authorities."

Shapiro said Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Agency and the state police are in touch with first responders and have offered their assistance.

"The Commonwealth is providing whatever resources and manpower are needed to help with emergency response," Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis said in a post on X. "Please stay away from the area at this time to allow emergency crews to do their job and follow all future guidance from officials for those that live nearby."

"For those in the area, please listen to local officials and avoid the area. Keeping those injured and all who are impacted in my thoughts right now," Senator John Fetterman, Democrat-Pennsylvania wrote in a post on X.

Japan's Nippon Steel acquired US Steel in June.