Allegheny County fire marshal provides update on investigation of Plum house explosion

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office has released the scene of an explosion that destroyed a Plum family’s home just over five months ago, which will allow it to be cleaned up.

Chief Matt Brown, the county’s fire marshal and chief of emergency services, provided a brief update Tuesday on the investigation of the explosion and fire that reduced Jake Rabb and Laura Petty’s home at 5021 Hialeah Drive to rubble late April 22.

The couple and their three sons — ages 11, 6 and 2 at the time — survived.

In a statement issued Tuesday by Allegheny County, Brown said his office has completed its examination of all of the gas service and circuitry related to the explosion.

“The Fire Marshal’s Office is reviewing the entire case and setting up follow-up interviews to collect additional observations from the occupants and neighbors, which should be completed within the next few weeks,” the statement said.

In addition to the fire marshal’s office releasing the site, the statement said the insurance company also is expected to release it, which will allow for the site to be cleaned up.

On Tuesday, debris remained piled up in what had been the home’s basement. Shattered glass and part of a Hyundai badge were strewn across the driveway. The steps from the driveway to the front door went nowhere on a lot overrun with weeds.

Dan and Terri Aubele have lived in their home next to the explosion site for 33 years. They put up a tarp to block the view from their backyard.

“We still find glass in our yard,” Terri Aubele said. “The kids are not allowed to play outside without shoes on.”

The Aubeles and other neighbors barely knew the family because they had just moved in that winter, buying the house in December and moving into it in late February. That didn’t stop several neighbors from rushing to the house that night to help after a boom shook the ground of their neighborhood.

After five months, the Aubeles are eager to see the lot cleaned up and are hoping for more answers from authorities.

“Nobody’s telling us what it is,” Terri Aubele said. “I just want an answer. It is nerve-wracking living next to a house that exploded.”

McKeesport explosion updated

The fire marshal also gave a brief update on its investigation of an explosion at the former YMCA in downtown McKeesport.

At least two people were hurt in that incident Aug. 2. The building, at 410 Ninth St., is now home to a Penn State Greater Allegheny facility, the Ninth Street Clinic, and offices of a medical marijuana provider.

A police officer at the scene told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI that a crew installing a wheelchair-accessible ramp at the back of the building hit a gas line.

Brown said the scene is awaiting an inspection by all interested parties, which includes the city, contractor, building occupants, the state Public Utility Commission, gas company and the fire marshal’s office.

“A site and safety survey/inspection has been conducted by a structural engineer to determine what sections of the structure can be accessed for further investigation,” the county release said.