Our thoughts are with the injured workers and their families after a two tanks exploded at the Mark West plant last night. Our communities deserve more transparency on emergency preparedness plans and potential risks that impact their health, safety, and property.
The explosion and fire occurred at the MarkWest gas processing plant in Houston, PA, on Thursday, December 14. All of the injured workers suffered burns; one of them is in critical condition. They were flown by medical helicopter to two Pittsburgh hospitals.
Nine fire departments and three EMS crews responded, as did the county’s hazmat unit. No homes were evacuated.
A MarkWest official said in a statement that the explosion occurred “near two temporary tanks that were on-site for routine maintenance, resulting in a fire.” The tanks contained ethylene glycol and hydrocarbons.
“Although the processing plant was not involved in the incident, it was shut down as a precaution and at this time there are no off-site impacts,” the statement read. “Agency notifications have been made and an investigation into the cause of this event is underway. Our prayers are with our injured colleagues and their families.”
