2 workers killed in Clairton Coke Works blast that rocked Mon Valley; 'time

Rescue efforts gave way to the early stages of reconstruction and investigation at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works late Monday when the final employee missing after a massive explosion was found dead amid the rubble.

Emergency response crews had been searching for the missing employee since an explosion rocked the plant near batteries 13 and 14 shortly before 11 a.m.

“Unfortunately, as the rescue and the search continued here this evening, I’m here to report that we do now have a second deceased worker,” said Matt Brown, head of Allegheny County Emergency Services.

Kurt Barshick, vice president of the Mon Valley Works, said the operation will now turn toward determining what caused the deadly explosion. He said next steps include interviewing employees who were directly involved as wel