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By Jenna Sundel and Gabe Whisnant
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Explosions at a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh on Monday shook the ground, killing one person and sending at least ten others to hospitals, officials said. As of 6:30 p.m. ET, emergency crews continued combing through the badly charred rubble hours later in search of one missing worker.
One person was rescued from the wreckage several hours after the blasts, which sent thick black smoke billowing into the midday sky over the Mon Valley—a region long tied to the steel industry. Allegheny County Emergency Services reported that the fire began around 10:51 a.m., and as of Monday afternoon, search and rescue operations remained underway. Officials said the cause of the explosions has not yet been determined.
The blasts rattled the community and prompted authorities to urge residents to avoid the area so first responders could work without obstruction.
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"It felt like thunder," said construction worker Zachary Buday, who was nearby at the time. "Shook the scaffold, shook my chest, and shook the building, and then when we saw the dark smoke coming up from the steel mill and put two and two together, and it's like something bad happened."
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed in a post on X that "multiple explosions" had occurred at the facility.
Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi said his "heart goes out to the victims" and called it "a sad day for Clairton."
Newsweek reached out to the Clairton Police Department for additional information.
What is the Clairton Coke Works Plant?
The Clairton Coke Works, an industrial facility along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, is the largest coking operation in North America. It employs about 1,400 workers. The plant converts coal into coke, a key ingredient in steelmaking, by baking it in high-temperature ovens to remove impurities. The process produces coke gas, a hazardous mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
What to Know About the Clairton Coke Works Explosions
Allegheny Health Network reported treating seven patients from the explosion, discharging five of them within a few hours. The network did not release details about the patients' conditions. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said three patients are being cared for at UPMC Mercy, the region's only Level One trauma and burn center.
Clairton resident Amy Sowers, 49, who lives less than a mile from the plant, said she was sitting on her porch when the blast shook her house. "I could see smoke from my driveway," she said. "We heard ambulances and fire trucks from every direction."
Sowers left the area shortly afterward, saying she detected "a faint smell in the air." She has lived in Clairton her entire life and said incidents at the plant are not uncommon. "Lives were lost again," she said. "How many more lives are going to have to be lost until something happens?"
The Clairton plant has seen deadly accidents before. In September 2009, a maintenance worker was killed in an explosion there, and in July 2010, another blast injured 14 employees and six contractors.
U.S. Steel Reacts to Pennsylvania Explosions
At a news conference, Scott Buckiso, U.S. Steel's chief manufacturing officer, declined to provide specifics about the extent of the damage or the number of casualties, saying the company is still working to determine what happened. He praised U.S. Steel employees for "doing a great job" in rescuing coworkers, shutting down gas lines, and ensuring the site was stable.
Buckiso said the company—now a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Steel Corp.—is cooperating with authorities in the investigation. Search teams, he noted, were still looking for one missing person. While they believe they have identified the general area where the individual may be, he said that has not been confirmed.
"Obviously, this is a tragedy that we want to understand," Buckiso said.
The incident occurs after U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel announced in May they had finalized a "historic partnership," a deal that gives the U.S. government a say in some matters and comes a year and a half after the Japanese company first proposed its nearly $15 billion buyout of the iconic American steelmaker.
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Clairton Plant's History of Legal Issues
The Clairton plant has faced years of legal challenges and public criticism over pollution. In 2019, U.S. Steel settled a 2017 lawsuit for $8.5 million, agreeing to spend $6.5 million on measures to reduce soot and noxious odors.
Other lawsuits accused the company of violating clean air laws, including after a 2018 fire damaged the plant's sulfur pollution controls. In February of this year, the Allegheny County Health Department reported that a battery malfunction led to a "buildup of combustible material" that ignited with an audible "boom," injuring two workers.
Last year, U.S. Steel agreed to $19.5 million in equipment upgrades and $5 million toward local clean air programs to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Clean Air Council, PennEnvironment, and the Allegheny County Health Department. Environmental groups said the 2018 fire knocked out pollution controls at the company's Mon Valley plants, but operations continued regardless, resulting in more than 12,000 alleged violations of air pollution permits.
What People Are Saying
David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment, said the latest disaster underscores the need for accountability. He called for "a full, independent investigation into the causes of this latest catastrophe and a re-evaluation as to whether the Clairton plant is fit to keep operating."
Clairton Mayor Rich Lattanzi told KDKA News, "The mill is such a big part of Clairton. For anyone that works, how old or young you are, you have to work every day, you need to go home healthy, and some people are not going to see the same husband or son or somebody that's working the mill. It's just a sad day for Clairton."
Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said his administration is in contact with local officials in Clairton as they respond to the explosion.
"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 wrote on X.
"My team and I are tracking this explosion and waiting for more information," Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman said on X. "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."
In a later post, Fetterman posted, "UPDATE: I was just on-site at the Clairton Coke Works. I've been talking with USW and US Steel officials to get more information. There is an active search and rescue underway, dozens injured, and per police there's at least one unaccounted for."
Democratic Rep. Summer Lee, of Pennsylvania's 12th district, said on X, "My team and I are aware of the tragic explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant. My heart is with the workers, especially those injured or trapped, their families, first responders, and the entire Clairton community. Please follow local guidance and avoid the area as we gather more information."
Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis posted on X, "The Mon Valley is my home, and I know people that work at the Clairton Coke Works. Blayre and I are praying for the workers and their families, and I've been in contact with local leaders and the Steelworkers. The Commonwealth is providing whatever resources and manpower are needed to help with emergency response. 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."
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update: 8/11/25, 12:23 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update: 8/11/25, 1:19 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update: 8/11/25, 1:27 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update: 8/11/25, 2:11 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update: 8/11/25, 3:49 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Update: 8/11/25, 5:02 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
Update: 8/11/25, 6:40 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
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