Pittsburgh U.S. Steel Plant Explosion Leaves 2 Dead, 10 Hospitalized

A devastating explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works Plant near Pittsburgh has left two workers dead and at least 10 others hospitalized. The Aug. 11 blast occurred during preparations for planned maintenance, the company confirmed in a statement.

According to preliminary findings, personnel were flushing a gas valve when pressure built up inside, causing the valve to fail. The release of coke oven gas filled the area before igniting, sparking a powerful explosion that triggered additional blasts throughout the facility. While the ignition source has not yet been identified, U.S. Steel emphasized that the investigation remains in its early stages.

The victims were identified as Timothy Quinn, 39, and Steven Menefee, 52, by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Several other employees sustained minor injuries.

The Chemical Safety Board has launched a federal investigation into the incident at the 392-acre Clairton facility, the largest coking plant in North America, employing nearly 1,300 workers.

Union officials urged patience as details emerge, with the United Steelworkers calling for a full review before drawing conclusions.