Huge 'thunderous' explosion causes casualties at US steel plant

Washington [US], August 12: An explosion at a US Steel plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, on August 11 killed one person and hospitalized at least 10 others, according to AP.
A fire broke out at the plant at about 10:51 a.m. local time on Aug. 11, according to AP, citing a statement from Allegheny County Emergency Services. The explosion was felt in nearby communities and prompted county officials to warn residents to stay away so rescue workers could respond. The large explosion was followed by several smaller explosions.
"It felt like thunder. The scaffolding was shaking, my chest was shaking, the whole building was shaking, and then when we saw the black smoke coming from the steel plant, I thought something bad had happened," Zachary Buday, a construction worker near the scene, told WTAE-TV.
A Clairton resident named Amy Sowers, was sitting on her porch, about a mile from the plant, and felt her house shake from the explosion, according to the AP.
Search and rescue efforts were still underway as of the afternoon of August 11, and rescue workers were still searching for a missing worker in the remains of the fire, according to officials.
At a news conference, Scott Buckiso, U.S. Steel 's chief operating officer , did not provide details on damage or injuries, saying they were still trying to determine what happened. U.S. Steel crews "did a great job" of getting in and rescuing workers, shutting off the gas and making sure the site was stable, Buckiso said.
US Steel CEO David B. Burritt said the company will thoroughly investigate the cause of the explosion
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper