The Tribune-Review, Greensburg
(TNS)
Jan. 22—Two people were critically injured in an explosion Wednesday at Braeburn Alloy's Steel Division in Lower Burrell, according to emergency officials.
A Westmoreland County 911 public safety supervisor confirmed the incident at 11:57 a.m. at the site, 101 Braeburn Road.
One of the critically injured people was flown to an area hospital and the other was taken to a hospital via ambulance. A third person with non-life threatening injuries also was taken to a hospital by ambulance, according to Brennan Sites, chief of Lower Burrell No. 3 Fire Company.
He did not have details on the type of explosion, but said all of the plant employees are accounted for and there didn't appear to be damage to the facility.
Emergency crews remained at the scene for much of the day.
Mike Grubach, a senior vice president for Oil City-based Electralloy, Braeburn Alloy's parent company, did not provide details on the explosion.
Grubach said his company is aware of the incident and had a team en route to assess. He said there would be no further comment until the assessment was made.
Sites said Lower Burrell Police will handle the investigation. Police Chief John Marhefka did not return calls for comment Wednesday.
Braeburn Alloy is a 125-year-old company that processes metal alloys, including titanium, refractory metals, high-end nickel alloys, steel alloys, stainless steel, tool steel and carbon steel.
The company, which employs fewer than 50 people, including about 25 unionized steelworkers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022. The same year, it was purchased by G.O. Carlson, the parent company of Electralloy, and reached a new contract with the United Steelworkers in 2023.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at [email protected].
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