Smoke rises from an explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 11, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
Create Lab | Breathe Project via Reuters
At least one person was killed and two others are unaccounted for after explosions Monday morning at a steel factory in the Pittsburgh area.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said “multiple explosions” occurred at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works, and search-and-rescue efforts are underway.
Allegheny County Emergency Services confirmed the fatality and said the status of the unaccounted individuals is unknown.
Dozens of people were injured in the blast, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said in a post on Facebook.
“I was just on-site at the Clairton Coke Works,” he posted. “I’ve been talking with USW and US Steel officials to get more information.”
U.S. Steel said the explosion involved “coke oven batteries 13 and 14.” U.S. Steel President David B. Burritt said the top priority is “the safety and wellbeing 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,” Burritt said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Allegheny County said a rescue operation was underway for people who are trapped at the factory in Clairton, a city about 35 miles southeast of downtown Pittsburgh.
The Health Department is also at the factory to monitor the air quality, the spokesperson said in a statement. Air quality monitors have not detected levels above federal standards, the department said. But residents who live within a mile radius of the plant were advised to remain indoors, close all windows and “set HVAC systems to recirculate” out of an abundance of caution.
Emergency crew gather after an explosion at the Clairton Coke Works, a U.S. Steel coking plant, Monday, Aug 11, 2025, in Clairton, Penn.
Gene Puskar | AP
Two people were being treated at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy Hospital. Allegheny Health Network said it was treating seven patients.
A cause for the explosion is unclear. Shapiro said his administration is in touch with local officials.
“The scene is still active, and folks nearby should follow the direction of local authorities. Please join Lori and me in praying for the Clairton community,” Shapiro said, referring to his wife, in a post on X.
Firefighters spray water on the site of an explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, U.S. August 11, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from an aerial video.
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Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said he knows people who work at the coking plant.
“The Commonwealth is providing whatever resources and manpower are needed to help with emergency response,” he 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.”
Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi said it was a sad day for the city and “a sad day for the steel workers.”
“These guys come to work and they put their gear on and they go to work to make a living for their family, not knowing if they’re going to make it home or not,” he told NBC affiliate WPXI of Pittsburgh. “This is one of those situations.”
Burritt said nearly 1,300 people work at the plant each day. It’s the largest coke manufacturing facility in the country, according to U.S. Steel’s website.
The plant serves customers in the commercial coke market and U.S. Steel’s steelmaking facilities. Coke is a type of fuel used in steel production. The facility operates ten coke oven batteries and produces over four million tons of coke annually.
United Steelworkers District 10 Director Bernie Hall said it has occupational health and safety experts at the scene.
“While we are still determining the scope of the tragedy, we are aware that multiple workers are receiving medical treatment for their injuries,” he said. “In the coming days, we will work with the appropriate authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and to see that our members get the support they need.”