| PITTSBURGH – County and Plum
Borough officials provided the following information on yesterday's house explosion:
At approximately 10:22 AM, County 9-1-1 received numerous calls from the Rustic Ridge Drive and Brookside Drive area in Plum Borough reporting a house explosion, several houses on fire and damaged, and reports that individuals may have been in the impacted homes.
First responders from the police and fire department arrived on scene and reported that there were people trapped under debris and that it appeared as if one house had exploded, and two others were engulfed in fire. Water tankers responded from both Allegheny and Westmoreland counties along with 18 different fire departments. The county's Emergency Management and Fire Marshals also responded to the scene.
The explosion occurred at 141 Rustic Ridge Drive. A total of three structures were destroyed and at least a dozen more damaged in some way. Three individuals were transported to local hospitals. Two were treated and released and one remains in the hospital in critical condition. Further updates
on that person's condition will not be available due to privacy laws.
Emergency responders identified five people as being unaccounted for and began rescue efforts once the scene was safe. At this time, five bodies have been recovered from the scene - four adults and one adolescent. Identification of the individual who is deceased will be made by the Allegheny County Office of the
Medical Examiner according to its protocols. Identification is expected to take some time as it will involve use of dental records and, potentially, DNA for formal identification.
The immediate neighborhood of Rustic Ridge had all utilities shut off due to safety concerns. As of this afternoon, electricity has been restored to all but the immediate area. The PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) and People's National Gas are working with local officials on a plan for restoration of gas service and will be communicating directly with impacted residents. Individuals are still encouraged to stay away from the area unless they live there
Residents impacted by the explosion who need housing or resources are being directed to Renton VFD, located at 1996 Old Mine Road. Additionally, the county's Human Services has set up a helpline for anyone experiencing mental distress. Individuals needing help can call 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to
66746.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's office is the lead investigator for determining cause and origin of the fire and explosion and will be working with local, state and federal partners as appropriate. That process will be involved and is expected to take quite some time, even months or years.
There may be changes to the information contained in this release as more detail develops. At the request of all involved agencies, all media inquiries or requests for interviews or information should be directed to Amie Downs, Allegheny County's Communications Director until further notice. Her information is contained below.
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