Monessen coke plant site of fire
A structure in the Monessen coke plant caught fire Wednesday night when welding caught nearby coal on fire.
According to Monessen Fire Chief Chris Rhome, a fire broke out just after 6 p.m. at ArcelorMittal Monessen, 300 Donner Ave., on the third floor of a coal hopper, where a worker was welding.
“Coal dust caught fire, and then coal, and the conveyer belts that move the coal caught fire,” Rhome said. “It was very extensive damage.”
Rhome wasn’t sure how many employees were working at the time, but he said no one was injured in the blaze.
“It was just a stubborn fire,” he said. “Anytime you have to cross the railroad tracks, there’s a higher risk factor. There are a lot of nasty things in a coke plant.”
Flames were extinguished by 9 p.m., and the area was cleared around 10:30 p.m.
No one from ArcelorMittal could be reached for comment. Rhome said a meeting is scheduled next week with the plant manager.
Fire crews from Donora, Rostraver Central, Carroll Township, Charleroi and Lower Belle Vernon assisted at the scene.