Categories: U.S.

6th person dies following Pennsylvania home explosion

close Video

Deadly Pennsylvania home explosion captured on terrifying Ring security camera

The Allegheny County fire marshal’s office says the deadly explosion was caused by ‘hot water tank issues’. Credit: Jeremy Rogers/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX

The co-owner of a home in Pennsylvania that exploded over the weekend, killing five people, has become the sixth person to have died in the disaster. 

Paul Oravitz, 56, who suffered severe burns over most of his body after becoming caught in the blast Saturday in Plum, died Wednesday in a Pittsburgh hospital, according to The Associated Press. 

Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel has identified the other victims as the town’s community development director and Oravitz’s wife, 51-year-old Heather Oravitz, Plum Borough Manager Michael Thomas, 57, Kevin Sebunia, 55, Casey Clontz, 38, and Clontz’s 12-year-old son, Keegan. 

Paul Oravitz’s death comes after video footage emerged from a Ring security camera capturing the terrifying moment his house exploded. 

DEADLY PENNSYLVANIA HOME EXPLOSION CAPTURED ON RING SECURITY CAMERA 

Flames and smoke billowing from a house fire in Plum, Pennsylvania. (Reuters Connect )

The footage shows the front porch of a home in Plum staring out at a peaceful suburban neighborhood shortly before 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Moments later, the neighborhood descends into chaos as a blast shakes the house, sending rubble and debris flying in all directions. Horrific screams can be heard off-camera.  

The property had “hot water tank issues” before the blast, according to Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office. 

In a statement Monday night, officials warned the public to stay away from the blast area in Plum as authorities tried to determine what caused the destruction. 

“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 tank was located in the basement of the home,” the fire marshal’s office said.  

HOME AT CENTER OF DEADLY PENNSYLVANIA EXPLOSION HAD ‘HOT WATER TANK ISSUES,’ FIRE MARSHAL SAYS 

Aerial view shows leveled homes in Plum, Pennsylvania after an explosion rocked the Pittsburgh suburb. (Reuters Connect)

Officials will now “investigate that information along with any and all other possibilities during their processes that may explain what occurred,” it added. 

Two others injured in the blast were treated at a hospital and released. 

“A total of three structures were destroyed and at least a dozen more damaged in some way,” the Allegheny County Government wrote on its Facebook page Monday. 

Rafal Kolankowski, who lives a few houses away, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the explosion broke the windows in his home and knocked him and his wife to the ground. 

First responders from the Plum Police Department and fire department work to put out fires and rescue residents after the house explosion. (KDKA via NNS)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

“It’s just tragic, I mean, it looks like a war zone – it looks like a bomb hit our neighborhood, and it’s just unfortunate,” Kolankowski said. “I was just with some of the neighbors yesterday … and now this happens.” 

Fox News’ Bradford Betz and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Share

Recent Posts

Pope Francis now ‘out of danger from death’ as health condition continues to improve

close Video Pope Francis showing 'signs of improvement' as hospitalization continues Fox News national correspondent…

17 minutes ago

Religious slaughter in Syria shows need for US, Europe to ‘keep a close eye’ on Islamist regime: Greek FM

With hundreds left dead over the weekend under Syria’s new regime, Greek Foreign Minister Giorigios…

37 minutes ago

Trump to sign disaster relief order putting states, localities in the driver’s seat of catastrophe response

FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Monday that…

37 minutes ago

WH lambasts ‘head-in-the-sand’ liberal prosecutors after 20 AGs sue to halt DOGE cuts

The White House remained steadfast in its DOGE agenda after 20 Democratic state attorneys general…

37 minutes ago

NASA shutters DEI office as Trump admin downsizes federal agencies

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will close several more offices within its agency…

37 minutes ago

US-flagged tanker collides with container ship near UK

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for March 10 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago