Plum Explosion
Six people died as a result of an explosion at a house in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood of Plum on Aug. 12, 2023. The explosion at 141 Rustic Ridge Drive destroyed that home, and a subsequent fire consumed the houses immediately to the right and left. Those who died were: Paul Oravitz and his wife, Heather Oravitz; neighbor Casey Clontz and his son, Keegan Clontz; neighbor and borough Manager Michael Thomas; and neighbor Kevin Sebunia. All were in the home when it exploded.
In all, three houses were destroyed and as many as 12 families were displaced. Ten homes were identified as possibly being structurally compromised. This page is dedicated to coverage of the tragedy.
In all, three houses were destroyed and as many as 12 families were displaced. Ten homes were identified as possibly being structurally compromised. This page is dedicated to coverage of the tragedy.
Some defendants in Plum fatal explosion case ask judge to dismiss negligence claims
Several defendants being sued over a 2023 fatal house explosion in Plum asked a judge Friday to dismiss negligence counts against them during a two-hour hearing heavy on legal citations. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Philip A. Ignelzi did not rule from the bench. The families of six people killed...
Consultant’s report finds no evidence of Penneco liability in Plum house explosion
A private consulting firm’s report for a Delmont energy company being sued over a 2023 fatal house explosion in Plum has determined Penneco Oil Co. was not responsible — a conclusion sure to be challenged in court. Penneco and Peoples Gas were among those sued for negligence and wrongful death...
Rustic Ridge neighbors file additional lawsuits ahead of house explosion anniversary
Neighbors have filed three new lawsuits against several companies just ahead of the two-year anniversary of a house explosion in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood that killed six and caused damage throughout the housing plan. The suits, filed throughout early August, come after family members of those killed in the blast...
Plum homeowners shocked to be named plaintiffs in Rustic Ridge explosion lawsuits
Several homeowners in Plum were shocked Friday to learn they were listed as plaintiffs in two lawsuits filed a day earlier by insurance companies in connection with a fatal 2023 house explosion in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood. The lawsuits, filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court on behalf of Erie...
Fatal Plum house explosion spurs lawsuits by insurers for Rustic Ridge homeowners
Lawsuits were filed Thursday on behalf of insurance companies representing three dozen homeowners in Plum whose properties were affected by the fatal 2023 house explosion in the Rustic Ridge development. The two complaints, filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, name as defendants Penneco Oil Co.; Peoples Natural Gas; A.O....
Plum mayor, neighbors hope Rustic Ridge lawsuits will bring answers
After families of six people killed in a 2023 house explosion in Plum sued multiple companies for alleged negligence and wrongful death Tuesday, the borough’s mayor and neighbors in the Rustic Ridge housing plan say they hope the suits will offer some answers nearly two years later. Filed in Allegheny...
‘It’s hard not to break’: Daughter of Plum house explosion victims continues to grieve without closureVideo
Wherever Taylor Oravitz goes, her childhood home goes with her. The Plum native had her Rustic Ridge Drive home’s GPS coordinates tattooed on her forearm, though not for nostalgia’s sake. Rather, it’s a kind of memorial in ink and flesh. On Aug. 12, 2023, a massive explosion at her family’s...
‘Series of failures’: Lawsuit blames fatal Plum house explosion on pipeline leak, water heaterVideo
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published on July 23. It’s being reposted on the two-year anniversary of the tragedy in Plum. Families of the six people killed in a 2023 house explosion in Plum’s Rustic Ridge subdivision have sued multiple companies for negligence and wrongful death, blaming them for...
Senior quartet helps Plum flag football team score early-season wins
The Plum girls flag football team worked out and practiced for the better part of three months to be ready for the opening weekend of its second season, a showcase event March 29 involving high school and college teams at Saint Vincent College. The Mustangs, led by a group of...
Plum community to observe Rustic Ridge anniversary 1 year later with no answers
As a Plum community pauses to remember those who died in a fatal house explosion a year ago, questions about the cause remain unresolved, and a mayor is demanding answers. Six residents of the Rustic Ridge neighborhood died as a result of the massive Aug. 12 explosion, which sent shock...
Help for Rustic Ridge residents
Plum Borough officials have released an online list of contacts that Rustic Ridge residents to get help for various needs. It also includes Plum School District contacts. Here is the link.
Signs of anxiety and stress in young children
- Stomach ache
- Not wanting to go to sleep
- Changes in eating habits
- Being more clingy
- Hair or skin picking, chewing on nails, hair or clothing
- Having unusual separation anxiety
- Headaches and/or fatigue
- More explosive tantrums/behaviors
