The explosion will likely trigger an investigation from Nippon Steel over the causes of the incident.
The explosion at the U.S. Clairton Coke Plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania has left two people dead and at least ten others injured, according to a fatality report. There were several explosions reported at the scene, which prompted immediate evacuations from nearby areas. The Clairton Coke Plant is part of U.S. Steel and recently merged with Japan’s Nippon Steel.
Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed on Tuesday that officials had already begun investigating the causes of the incident, and executives from the company were in communication with Nippon leadership as recently as Tuesday afternoon.
“I have been assured in both my conversations yesterday with Dave Burritt, the CEO of U.S. Steel, and the briefing we just had, that U.S. Steel is committed to two things,” Shapiro said at a press conference. “No. 1, getting to the bottom of what occurred and ensuring a safe plant for their workers when they return. And No. 2, making sure that the broader community is protected going forward.”
In addition to the damage to the plant and injuries sustained by those on site, the explosion released large amounts of noxious smoke fumes. Gov. Shapiro noted that the Allegheny County Health Department has not confirmed an increase in air pollution as of yet. Those close to the plant have expressed concern in leadership from Nippon steel, pointing out that the recent transfer of assets from U.S. Steel to Nippon should have prompted immediate reviews of all Pittsburgh-area plants. A major event like this so soon after the merger could be a bad look for both companies, Clairton officials said.
Others, particularly those living nearest the factory, noted that Pittsburgh’s identity is deeply tied to steel production and that this factory has long been one of the area’s most important.
Officials from U.S. Steel and the Clairton Coke Plant have not identified a cause of the explosion, nor any of the smaller ones that occurred after. Construction workers at the scene described the initial explosion as “sounding like thunder” and rattling the buildings closest to the steel mill at the site. Authorities first to the location said the initial large explosion appeared to have originated in a battery operating area of the plant. Other than that, where the smaller explosions came from remains unknown, as well as the full extent of the damage. Experts are searching the area for causes as part of the investigation, Gov. Shapiro confirmed on Tuesday.
U.S. Steel is hoping for support in the investigation from Nippon. The factory leadership said Nippon should have had more oversight involved in Pittsburgh’s U.S. Steel-run plants after the merger was completed. A U.S. Steel spokesperson did not confirm an investigation would likely be wide-ranging, and not limited to local authorities.
“We started to do interviews with employees directly involved in the incident. We’ll bring in outside experts as well as our own company experts that we’ve flown in for the investigation, but we’re just getting that underway,” the spokesperson confirmed.
Others call for Nippon to commission investigations at other local plants, including steel plants in nearby West Mifflin. Officials from Tokyo have not yet been reported at the scene in Pittsburgh, as of Tuesday afternoon.
