Yesterday [Jan. 15, 2012], around noon a fire occurred at Mon Valley Works’ Irvin Plant in the facility’s 84-inch Pickle Line [where flat-rolled – or sheet – steel goes through an acid treatment to prepare the surface for further finishing applications]. All individuals in the area were safely evacuated and accounted for and no injuries were reported. The fire was extinguished at approximately 2:30 p.m. by U. S. Steel personnel, including its own hazmat team, with assistance from the West Mifflin Fire Department.

In terms of Irvin’s operational status, the 84-inch pickle line is currently idle, but the rest of the plant is operating normally. We will begin assessing the area where the incident occurred to determine the extent of repairs and the impact on the operation of the 84-inch pickle line.

Safety is a core value at U. S. Steel and something we take seriously. A full investigation into the cause of the incident is under way. All necessary notifications to applicable outside environmental agencies were made.

Source: U.S. Steel