Steel Plant Explosion Injures 15

Pittsburgh, PAA fire and explosion at a steel plant in Pittsburgh has left at least 15 people injured. The incident occurred just after 9:30 am Wednesday morning at the United States Steel Corporation's Clairton Plant. Located about 15 miles south of Pittsburgh, the plant is the largest US manufacturer of coke, a raw material used in steelmaking.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">According to a report on CNN, so far investigators believe that one of the coke ovens exploded. Most of the injuries are burn-related, and one person was taken to hospital for chest pains. Kevin Evanto, a spokesperson for the plant, said that the victims are being treated at various hospitals in the Pittsburgh area, and one person was transported by helicopter. Mr. Evanto told CNN that they believe everyone is accounted for.

The plant had 12 coke oven batteries that churn out 4.7 million tons of coke every year, the company website states. The ovens work by heating coal to an extremely high heat to carbonize it, turning it into coke, which is used to make steel.