Victims recovering from explosion at Clairton coke plant

U.S. Steel will not be releasing the names of those injured in a recent explosion at the Clairton Plant of U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works.

"Some of the U.S. Steel employees and contractors who were injured in the incident remain hospitalized," said a company statement released Friday. "Medical privacy laws prevent us from identifying them or commenting on their condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who were injured as well as their family members."

A Wednesday explosion in the plant's B Battery injured 14 U.S. Steel employees and six contractors. Three people were treated on the scene and 17 were transported to area hospitals.

Jefferson Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Candy Williams referred any patient questions to U.S. Steel on Friday. UPMC spokeswoman Stephanie Stanley said one person is in good condition at UPMC McKeesport, and three are in critical condition and two in fair condition at UPMC Mercy. Western Pennsylvania Hospital still has three patients injured from the Clairton plant blast, spokeswoman Jennifer Davis said.

While there was a possibility of blast victim Brian Doyle going home on Friday, doctors decided to keep him at UPMC McKeesport for a possible MRI.

"I feel like a rag doll," he said. "I was thrown across the room. Everything hurts."

The Steamfitters Local 449 member from South Park Township was working at the plant during the explosion for subcontractor Power Piping Co.

"The last thing I remember is it throwing me through the air and a beam smacked me in the back," he said. "I must have been out for a second and when I came to I didn't know if I was dead or alive. I just crawled out of the rubble to find all the guys that I was working with. As soon as I found them all, I collapsed."

Doyle has back injuries, bruises and minor burns.

He said his wife Kristen Doyle is always worried about him in his job due to the heights and chemicals.

"Even she said she couldn't fathom the idea that it could be this bad," Doyle said.

He said the couple tells their three children, "The steel broke, but dad didn't."

"I'm just happy he's alive," Kristen Doyle said.

Doyle said he fared the best with injuries next to his crew's four fellow workers including his cousin Richard Doyle, who is at UPMC Mercy in a medically induced coma to reduce pain.

U.S. Steel's statement reiterated that it "is in the process of restoring full operational capability of the B Battery, which is currently operating at a reduced rate." It said the rest of the Clairton Plant is operating normally.

"U.S. Steel is continuing to work closely with all appropriate agencies on the investigation," the statement said.

"I know everyone wants an answer," United Steelworkers spokesman Wayne Ranick said. "These investigations do take some time. People are being very careful and diligent in the investigation that's being done."

He said he doesn't believe it's unsafe for workers at the plant now.

"There's no reason to believe there's imminent danger," Ranick said.