Saturday, April 27, 2024

Plum, Pennsylvania house explosion: 5 dead, 3 homes destroyed

house explosion in plum pa

Keegan Clontz, 12, was the youngest person killed in the explosion. He was a student in the Plum School District and loved to play football. During times like these, we must lean on one another for comfort and strength. Let us continue to extend a helping hand to the affected families, offering our support, condolences, and assistance in any way possible.

What we know about the Pennsylvania home explosion that killed 6

PLUM BOROUGH, Pa. — Six people are dead after an explosion on Rustic Ridge Drive in Plum Borough that destroyed three homes and damaged at least a dozen more. Baltimore County fire officials said they were called to the scene in the Essex community east of Baltimore just after 11 p.m. Fire officials say home explosions are not uncommon in the county, and if you smell gas, report it immediately. Crews were expected to be on the scene for "an extended period of time," the department said. Hazmat and fire investigators had been on their way to the scene, officials said. The house on Ridgemoor Road in Essex, Maryland, appeared in photos shared by the department to have been completely destroyed by the blast.

PHOTOS: House explosion in Plum Borough

Fifty-seven firefighters were treated on scene for minor issues, including heat-related injuries, Imbarlina said. The Safety Division appreciates the cooperation of Plum and Allegheny County, along with and various other local and state emergency agencies who have been part of the investigation, as well as residents and others impacted by this incident. Multiple houses were completely leveled with debris spilling onto the lawn. “I am in constant communication with Governor Shapiro, who has expressed his unwavering support for the Plum community and for the use of all available investigative measures. At the Governor’s request, an extensive amount of testing has been completed. Over the next few days additional testing will be conducted and shared with the public appropriately,” added Negrin.

Casey and Keegan Clontz

Two of those individuals have been released from the hospital while one remains in critical condition. Paul Oravitz, 56, who had severe burns over most of his body, died Wednesday in a Pittsburgh hospital, four days after the explosion in Plum. According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner, Paul Oravitz died Wednesday.

House explosion victims identified

house explosion in plum pa

Lanny Conley, the chief of the Plum Borough Police Department, said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that four adults and one adolescent had died and been recovered from the scene. George Emanuele, who lives three houses down from the home that exploded, said he and a neighbor went to the home after the explosion and dragged a man laying in the backyard away from the scene, he told the Tribune-Review. “There are three structures destroyed and at least a dozen more damaged in some way,” authorities said. Police said at least three people were taken to area hospitals with two in stable condition, both of whom have since been released.

Smoke fills neighborhood after house explodes

Downs said officials don't expect to have information about the cause of the explosion "for quite some time." Gas and electric service was shut off as a precaution, and officials said Sunday a plan was in place to begin restoring service with electric power expected to be returned to all but a few residences, officials said. "Please give us some time to deal with this situation and give the families your respect and give them some space to deal with this tragedy," Conley said. “Keegan and Casey will be missed by so many and will continue to be loved by so many, including their family, friends and community,” the family said in a statement to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

New video shows moment house exploded in Plum Borough

"In the meantime, we are bringing all of our resources to bear to help the Allegheny County fire marshal," Peoples Gas President Mike Huwar said. Allegheny County officials say that the investigation could take months or even years. Both were rushed to the hospital, but they’re now physically OK. The cause and manner of the victims’ deaths are still pending, and there is no time frame for when those determinations will be made. Casey Clontz, 38, Keegan Clontz, 12, Heather Oravitz, 51, Kevin Sebunia, 55, and Michael Thomas, 57, all died Saturday. Walsh also encourages parents to utilize grief resources and other handouts the district has on its Parents Resources webpage.

5 people are dead and multiple homes destroyed after a house exploded in Pennsylvania - NPR

5 people are dead and multiple homes destroyed after a house exploded in Pennsylvania.

Posted: Sun, 13 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The third person remained in critical condition as of Saturday night. Bishop David Zubik hosted a prayer service for the community on Tuesday at Saint John the Baptist Church in Plum. Now technicians will go door to door to conduct a safety check and relight appliances.

h person dies in Pennsylvania house explosion; victims named, blast under investigation

house explosion in plum pa

Tribune Live reported that neighbors attending a vigil for the victims on Tuesday described the corner where the house once stood as a "fraternity row" because everyone was friends and always spending time together. Emergency officials suspended operations Saturday night due to weather and concern for the safety of investigators. Crews were expected to resume working at the site on Sunday morning.

Officials have said one was found outside a garage, four were in the basement and the sixth was located and rescued from the rear yard. He was taken to a trauma center where he died several days later. That house and two others were so badly damaged they must be demolished, and 10 others were not safe for residents in the weeks after the Aug. 12 blast about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh. Baltimore Gas and Electric, hazardous materials and fire investigators were at the scene. Officials say they have heard from several neighbors that there was a foul smell in the area Saturday.

The fire marshal said it will continue to work with local officials on further remediation efforts to make the scene safe. Investigators inspected seven conventional oil and gas wells and two gathering pipelines after the explosion and ruled they were all in compliance. Those wells and pipelines were within a 2,500-foot radius of the home. Three homes were destroyed by the blast; 10 homes have been identified as possibly being structurally compromised.

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