A tragic house explosion in Plum, Pennsylvania, on Saturday claimed the lives of five people, including several local city leaders.
Investigators from the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office and local law enforcement teams report the cause of the explosion is a home that had experienced “hot water tank issues.”
The Fire Marshal’s office reported: “The Fire Marshal’s Office can confirm that it is aware that the homeowners at 141 Rustic Ridge Drive were having hot water tank issues. The tank was located in the basement of the home.”
Officials will now “investigate that information along with any and all other possibilities during their processes that may explain what occurred,” the statement added.
The Washington Post reported that Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel said the town’s community development director, 51-year-old Heather Oravitz, and Plum Borough Manager Michael Thomas, 57, were killed in the blast along with three others who lived in the neighborhood: Kevin Sebunia, 55; Casey Clontz, 38; and Clontz’s 12-year-old son Keegan.
The Allegheny County Government wrote on its Facebook page Monday:
“A total of three structures were destroyed and at least a dozen more damaged in some way.”
The post added that “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.”
Adding to the urgency, fires ignited in two additional residences, mobilizing teams from 18 different fire departments.
The New York Post reported: “First responders from the police and fire department arrived on the 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.”
Most households in the area are gradually regaining electrical services. However, properties that suffered direct impacts from the explosion remain without power.
The community is in mourning. Heather Oravitz, whose husband suffered severe burn injuries in the tragic incident and is currently under medical care said of the fatalities: “These individuals were pillars in our community. It’s a devastating blow.”
USA Today reported that Rafal Kolankowski, who lives several lots down from the blast, said: “It’s just tragic, I mean, it looks like a war zone — it looks like a bomb hit our neighborhood.”
This story underscores the importance of safety and due diligence when it comes to household maintenance. As the community comes to terms with the tragedy, their collective focus is on supporting the affected families and ensuring that lessons are drawn from this heartbreaking incident.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
