U.S. Steel on Friday pinned the blame for the deadly explosion Monday at the Clairton Coke Works on a valve failure that led to coke oven gas igniting, according to the company’s preliminary findings.
“Preliminary indications lead us to believe that the explosion happened when flushing a gas valve in preparation for planned maintenance,” the company announced Friday afternoon. “Pressure built inside the valve, leading to valve failure and coke oven gas filling the area and ultimately exploding when finding an ignition source.”
The statement from U.S. Steel marks the first time company officials have offered a theory of the explosion.
U.S. Steel emphasized the investigation is in its early stages.
Two people were killed in the blast, both workers at the plant, and 10 were injured.
Significant portions of the facility were damaged, primarily the two batteries next to the explosion.
The plant is operating in a limited capacity.
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