By Sierra Schwab Staff Writer

In Saegertown, PA, thirteen people were injured after an industrial fire and explosion at the chemical plant Parker LORD Corporation on Sunday, February 9. Seven plant employees and six firefighters (one from Edinboro and five from Saegertown) were taken to the hospital. Additionally, a water line broke on Euclid Avenue disrupting service two blocks as utilities were temporarily shut off. 

One firefighter described the event: “Victims were treated and evaluated for toxic exposure and surface burns… A broken water main in the area presented extinguishing the fire challenging. Fire department was able to establish an adequate water supply via Woodcock and French Creaks. Personnel and equipment from several agencies from mutable counties aided local resources in bringing the incident under control on Monday afternoon.” 

One commonly shared experience in the community was the sound and feel of the explosion. “I was able to feel and hear it,” one anonymous community member said. “I was washing dishes when I felt and heard it but didn’t know what it was until about fifteen minutes later.”

Isaak Bavas, tenth grader, also felt and heard the explosion. “I was taking out the dogs when a loud bang and a subtle shake of my patio caught my attention.”

“My dad was there a minute before it exploded,” Junior Chloe Swanson commented. “Luckily, he was far away enough that he didn’t get hurt. My mom got called into the hospital for tons of EMS calls.”

“I was just leaving the house to pick up my dog from the groomer,” Mr. Greco said, “but my family was at home and thought I backed into the house as they heard a crash/explosion.”  

The community’s response to this event was drastic. Even if you didn’t hear or feel the explosion, the internet was flooded with the experiences within the hour. To help give back to the firefighters who risked their lives, the Student Council of Saegertown High School helped to raise over 850 dollars as a “thank you” for their sacrifice.