Monday, April 29, 2024

Investigators pinpoint house as source of explosion that killed 6 near Pittsburgh last month

pennsylvania house explosion cause

The electricity and natural gas in the Westworth Village neighborhood were turned off as a precaution following the explosion. The Fort Worth Fire Department’s Arson/Bomb Unit and ATF, in addition to other local police departments, assisted Westworth Village police in the investigation. The investigation, which unfolded over more than a year, revealed Evans was responsible for the explosion, police said in a news release.

6th person dies in Pennsylvania house explosion; victims named, blast under investigation - USA TODAY

6th person dies in Pennsylvania house explosion; victims named, blast under investigation.

Posted: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

reported dead, including teen, after house explosion in Pennsylvania

Crews completed additional system testing with the Allegheny County fire marshal and Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Tuesday night, Peoples Gas said. This means nothing will be done to them, and any demolition would have to be approved by the borough. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office is leading the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire and explosion and the process is expected to take some time. Residents of the area where the explosion happened described a chaotic aftermath. Oravitz’s husband, Paul, suffered severe burns over most of his body and remained hospitalized Tuesday in critical condition, Schlegel said. Investigators inspected seven conventional oil and gas wells and two gathering pipelines after the explosion and ruled they were all in compliance.

Sixth person dies from injuries suffered in Pennsylvania house explosion

First responders found people trapped under debris and two homes "engulfed in fire," in addition to one that appeared to have exploded and multiple others with the windows blown out, according to the post. Three days after the deadly house explosion in Plum's Rustic Ridge neighborhood, crews investigated two gas leaks in Plum's Regency Park neighborhood on Tuesday. The blast destroyed three homes and damaged at least a dozen others, officials said.

children among 5 killed in Pennsylvania house explosion

Thomas was the borough manager and Heather Oravitz was the community development director. On-scene investigative efforts also have been completed, the Fire Marshal’s Office said. Joint investigative efforts with agencies including the state’s Department of Environmental Protection and Public Utility Commission, Plum police, Peoples natural gas company and several insurance carriers continue. The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries, and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of the 199 violations MSHA identified in March 2024, 74 were evaluated as S&S and four had an unwarrantable failure finding. The agency completed these inspections at mines in Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

“This is certainly a sad, sad day and a sad time, for not just the folks in Plum but all the folks in the community and in this region,” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said, AP reported. “There are three structures destroyed and at least a dozen more damaged in some way,” authorities said. On Aug. 25, the DEP helped to distribute combustible gas detectors to the 227 houses in Rustic Ridge. The DEP estimated about 90% of the units were picked up for houses in the community, and remaining residents will be contacted by the Rustic Ridge Homeowners Association to collect their detectors if they want them. PLUM, Pa. (AP) — The co-owner of a home that exploded in western Pennsylvania last weekend has died from injuries he suffered in the blast, which also killed his wife and four other people. The Allegheny County fire marshal’s office said all potential outside factors were eliminated, including wells, pipelines and other utilities, pinpointing the source as a home on Rustic Ridge Drive in Plum Borough.

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. “From the moment DEP was called in to investigate, our experts have worked tirelessly alongside county officials and partner agencies to aid in identifying the cause,” said DEP Secretary Rich Negrin. The cause of the explosion remained under investigation, which was expected to take some time, officials said.

House explosions in Plum, Crescent Township under investigation - WTAE Pittsburgh

House explosions in Plum, Crescent Township under investigation.

Posted: Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Families of Three Fallen Baltimore Firefighters Suing City for Negligence

The home at 141 Rustic Ridge was owned by Paul and Heather Oravitz, and all six victims were inside that home when it exploded. Police noted that the scene remains active and people are advised to stay away from the area unless they live there. Residents who need a place to stay were being directed to Renton Volunteer Fire Department.

pennsylvania house explosion cause

Police said at least three people were taken to area hospitals with two in stable condition, both of whom have since been released. The agency began conducting impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion killed 29 miners in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine. Debris covered the street and neighbors’ yards, and residents up to a couple of miles away felt their houses shake. After he was placed in the back of an ambulance, Evans told a detective that he was in bed when the house “blew up,” according to the search warrant affidavit. He was treated by the ambulance crew and then put into a helicopter to be flown to the burn unit at Parkland. Evans texted his wife again about 10 minutes after the explosion and told her the house “blew,” the warrant stated.

pennsylvania house explosion cause

Downs said officials don't expect to have information about the cause of the explosion "for quite some time." People who live along Rustic Ridge Drive say that when the explosion happened, it was the loudest sound they've ever heard. Despite this tragedy causing so much heartache, the community has been stepping up to help one another and first responders, donating things like food and water. Neighbors said they smelled gas Tuesday and called the gas company, which confirmed the leaks. One leak was along Kathy Lynn Drive and the other was at Crestview and Mower drives. The Regency Park and Rustic Ridge neighborhoods are about a 10-minute drive apart.

There also was another explosion in 1996 where natural gas was determined to be the cause. Now technicians will go door to door to conduct a safety check and relight appliances. If residents aren't home, Peoples Gas said workers will leave a door hanger with customer service contact information and crews will be available on a 24/7 basis until service is fully restored. Any resident who has questions about gas service in the neighborhood can find updates here. Chief Conley said that 57 firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Paul and Heather Oravitz, Kevin Sebunia, Mike Thomas and Casey and Keegan Clontz were killed in the explosion. The point of origin for a deadly home explosion in Plum on Aug. 12 came from inside the house at 141 Rustic Ridge, the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office said Friday. 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.

Company technicians will be going door to door to conduct a safety check and relight customers’ appliances, the spokesperson said. State officials had previously ruled out natural gas from an abandoned underground mine as a cause. Authorities have also said the home’s owners had been having problems with their hot water tank. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, the office said, and there is no time frame for when the probe will be completed. The investigation at the scene of the explosion has been completed and the property is being returned to its owners, the agency said in a release. PLUM, Pa. (AP) — Investigators said Friday the location of an explosion that killed six people and destroyed three houses near Pittsburgh last month was inside one of the homes, ruling out an outside cause.

Pottstown is a borough of around 23,400 around 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the explosion in 2008 was caused after a 2-inch gas line was hit in 2003. "Police and other borough staff have had to respond to ask that individuals leave the area. We again reiterate – If you do not live in the area and do not have any reason to be there, please stay away from the area," the county said. "ACFM will investigate that information along with any and all other possibilities during their processes that may explain what occurred," the release said. Allegheny County officials say that the investigation could take months or even years.

In footage obtained by WTAE, a local news station, the explosion can be heard piercing the quiet of a nearby baseball game. In another clip, a doorbell camera appeared to capture the moment of the explosion, which sent a plume of fire and smoke into the sky. In Plum, a borough in Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania just east of Pittsburgh.

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