Wednesday, July 14, 2010

14 Workers Injured in Blast at Clairton Coke Works

Emergency crews are on the scene at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, the site of an explosion this morning. Initial reports have 14 workers injured.
Gloria Kreps, a spokeswoman for UPMC says 6 of the injured are at Mercy Hospital, 3 at UPMC Presbyterian and 1 in McKeesport Hospital.
According to Dan Laurent, a spokesman for the West Penn Allegheny Health system, 3 of the injured are in the West Penn Burn Unit with one in serious condition. One of the injured workers was taken to Jefferson Regional Hospital. Spokeswoman Candy Williams says that person was treated for minor facial burns.
Following that, Williams says an emergency response worker was brought to Jefferson Regional with chest pains. Also, 2 people in a nearby office are being treated for dust inhalation.
U.S. Steel spokeswoman Erin DiPietro issued a statement confirming the explosion and fire at the "B" Battery of the coke works..." U. S. Steel’s Security & Fire Protection Services personnel are working with local emergency responders. I do not have any information about the possible cause of the incident, but an investigation will be conducted. We will assess the extent of repairs and impact on operations at a later time."

A worker was killed in an explosion at the Clairton Coke Works last September.

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