Plum community continues to heal one year after deadly Rustic Ridge house explosion
PLUM BOROUGH, Pa. (KDKA) -- Plum Borough is continuing to heal as today marks one year since a home explosion in the borough's Rustic Ridge neighborhood brought the community to its knees.
A quiet Saturday morning one year ago quickly turned to tragedy when a home exploded and caught fire. Numerous nearby homes were destroyed and dozens of others were damaged.
Investigation into explosion still ongoing one year later
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office said early Monday morning that the investigation into the explosion is still open and remains 'under active investigation.'
The Fire Marshal's Office said that investigators are working to review as much evidence and information as they can before determining a cause for the explosion.
Part of that process will include another examination of evidence between investigators, engineers, attorneys, and other interested parties. A date and time for that examination has yet to be set.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Safety Division has concluded its own investigation and says it found no evidence linking public utility natural gas equipment to the cause of the house explosion and fire.
There is no timeframe on when the Fire Marshal's Office is expected to complete its investigation into the explosion.
Remembering the lives lost in the explosion
Five adults and one child were killed in the blast. Casey and Keegan Clontz, Heather and Paul Oravitz, Kevin Sebunia, and Michael Thomas were all killed in the explosion.
Multiple other people were critically injured and dozens of firefighters were treated for minor injuries.
In the wake of the blast, the community banded together and rallied to provide support with fundraisers and vigils to help support and remember the lives lost and those impacted by the explosion.
Church bell ringing and memorial mass
At 10:23 a.m., the time of the explosion one year ago, church bells tolled at the St. Januarius Catholic Church.
The church held a memorial mass in remembrance of those who died one year ago.