MarkWest Energy explosion injured four in Pennsylvania

A MarkWest Energy explosion injured four employees in Chartiers Township, Pennsylvania on December 14, 2018. The incident happened at the MarkWest Energy natural gas processing plant on Western Avenue in Houston, Pennsylvania.

The explosion happened during routine maintenance procedures on two temporary tanks. A fire resulted from the explosion.

A medical helicopter flew two of the injured workers to West Penn Hospital. The other two were taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. The condition of the workers is not known.

According to Jeff Yates, Washington County Public Safety Director, the workers ignited vapors while cleaning a pipeline. “Considering the scope of the plant, it was confined to a relatively small area,” he told the Observer-Reporter.

Four medical agencies and eight fire departments responded to the incident. The fire was put out, and the plant is shut down. The state Department of Environmental Protection and the Washington County Hazardous Materials team are on the scene.

Hazards of MarkWest Energy Explosion

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Dangerous incidents like the MarkWest Energy explosion can cause serious injuries, and are sometimes fatal. Explosions and fires can inflict serious burn injuries in a split second. And while burns are most commonly associated with these disasters, the shock wave from an explosion can cause a wide variety of damage to a human body. Eyes, eardrums, internal organs, and brain damage are just some of the tragic possibilities.

Medical treatment for these types of serious injury can take a long time. Sometimes the recovery process can last for years. High levels of pain are possible; high medical bills are almost guaranteed.

If you have been injured, or if a loved one has been killed, in a fire or explosion, the compassionate and expert attorneys at Pritzker Hageman can help. We have won multi-million dollar judgments for our clients, making sure that they get the best possible medical treatment, and don’t have to worry about their financial future. With our friendly advice and support, you can concentrate on healing, and putting your life back together.

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Sources

Tonini, Holly. “4 injured in Mark West Energy explosion.” Observer-Reporter, December 14, 2018.

Miller, Barbara. “Workers injured in MarkWest explosion believed to have been cleaning pipeline.” Observer-Reporter, December 14, 2018.