Hot water tank a focus of investigation into Plum house explosion; victims' remains released to families

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed it is investigating the possibility that complications with a hot water tank contributed to a house explosion in Plum over the weekend.

That was the first public confirmation from officials about a possible origin of the blast Saturday morning that killed five people, injured at least three others and caused irreparable damage to many homes in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood.

“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 office said in a news release. No officials were made available to speak to the media.

“The tank was located in the basement of the home,” the statement continued. “ACFM will investigate that information along with any and all other possibilities during their processes that may explain what occurred.”

The house at 141 Rustic Ridge, owned by Paul and Heather Oravitz, exploded shortly before 10:30 a.m. The blast caused a fireball and ignited fires at neighboring homes at 139 Rustic Ridge and 143 Rustic Ridge.

Killed in the explosion were Heather Oravitz, 51; Borough Manager Michael Thomas, 57; Casey Clontz, 38, and his son, Keegan, 12; and Kevin Sebunia, 55.

Their names had been released by family members and Plum’s mayor earlier, but the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office officially named the victims Tuesday evening.

The medical examiner’s office said it was in the process of releasing the victims’ remains to the families for funerals and burial. The cause and manner of death for each remains pending.

Safety investigation ongoing

On Tuesday, the state Public Utility Commission announced that pipeline safety engineers from its Safety Division, part of the commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, were investigating the incident. They are exploring whether public utility infrastructure or operations contributed to the explosion and if there were any violations of state or federal pipeline safety regulations.

The commission said pipeline safety engineers responded on Saturday and began gathering preliminary information from residents, first responders and utilities in the area.

Safety engineers are working with other state and local agencies that also responded. The Safety Division is in close communication with the fire marshal, state Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and Peoples Gas.

“The Safety Division has been monitoring integrity tests of nearby public utility natural gas service lines by crews from Peoples Gas; conducting detailed interviews with utility employees, first responders and residents; and coordinating the collection of physical jurisdictional evidence at the scene — including natural gas service lines and meters,” the PUC said in a statement.

Safety engineers have been monitoring restoration of electric service to homes in the area not directly impacted by the explosion, as well as the planning and safe restoration of natural gas service to residents.

The commission noted that the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement does not have jurisdiction to investigate items, events or piping past the outlet of a service meter inside a structure.

A full investigation by the Safety Division may take up to a year or longer, but the PUC said the bureau would take immediate action to address health or public safety concerns if any are found.

Properties released

With three exceptions, all properties in the neighborhood have been released to the homeowners for repairs or demolition. The fire marshal is retaining custody of the properties of the three destroyed houses at 139, 141 and 143 Rustic Ridge.

Plum’s code enforcement will be responsible for accepting any permit or demolition applications and making decisions on them.

County and borough officials asked for those who do not live in the neighborhood or have no reason to be there to stay away from the area.