Gov. Shapiro orders DEP probe of Plum house explosion

Stating that he is “extremely concerned” after a house blew up in Plum over the weekend, killing six people and causing catastrophic damage, Gov. Josh Shapiro has broadened the probe into the disaster by ordering the state Department of Environmental Protection to launch an investigation.

The governor’s directive was issued earlier this week, even as another state agency — the independent Public Utility Commission, which regulates utilities — sent pipeline safety engineers to the blast site in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood.

As well, the Office of the State Fire Commissioner is now assisting the Allegheny County fire marshal and his team.

Plum, a borough that stretches over nearly 30 square miles, is home to several gas wells, a natural gas pipeline, abandoned mines and a long-burning underground mine fire.

Residents are unnerved by the fact that five houses have exploded in their community since the mid-1990s, though Allegheny County officials said there is no sign of a unifying source, cause or origin.

Some have raised questions about whether any of the gas drilling or mining in the area is to blame, or if methane seeping from the ground might somehow be at fault.

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Environmental protection staff have already been in Plum using handheld gas detectors to search for methane in the soil or in any structures in the Rustic Ridge subdivision.

They will also hunt for any possible sources of methane near the home that blew up on Rustic Ridge Drive, such as landfills, sewer lines, wells, pipelines and areas that were mined for coal.

The agency will inspect unconventional well sites near the subdivision, look for unregistered wells and investigate pipelines in the area that gather natural gas.

Will Simons, a spokesman for the governor, said the investigation is being conducted out of an abundance of caution rather than in response to any kind of tip or suspicion that methane or any mining or drilling activities are to blame.

“It’s all stuff that’s pretty well known and well documented,” Simons said. “DEP has the expertise and the jurisdiction over environmental resource issues.”

Simons did not have any updates about what, if anything, DEP inspectors have found.

The county fire marshal’s office has already been probing the blast late Saturday morning that leveled a house at 141 Rustic Ridge Drive owned by Paul and Heather Oravitz, who died in the explosion.

Also killed were neighbors Michael Thomas, Plum’s borough manager; Kevin Sebunia; Casey Clontz and his 12-year-old son, Keegan Clontz.

All those who died were in the Oravitz home at the time of the explosion. Investigators have said they are aware that the family was having issues with a hot water tank in the basement.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates some pipeline accidents, has not indicated whether it will tackle the Plum explosion.