Explosion rocks Tarentum; no injuries reported

An explosion at a scrap recycling business rocked Tarentum early Monday afternoon, shaking homes across the borough and sending people scrambling for answers.

Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said police responded at about 1 p.m. to P.J. Greco and Sons in borough’s West Tarentum section, where they were told a gas tank had exploded.

“One of our officers went down to Greco’s after we heard the explosion to make sure everything was OK,” Boddorf said.

“We are being told a 40-pound tank exploded during roofing construction.”

It was not clear if the tank held gasoline at the time.

Tarentum police did not release a statement about the incident.

Phone calls to Greco’s turned up different information. Representatives at the recycling center said they weren’t aware of any incidents at their site on Monday.

Boddorf was not sure who called the information into the police station. He said the borough office was not receiving calls or complaints.

There were no emergency crews called to the scene.

“There was no fire, no injuries,” Boddorf said. “No additional response was needed.”

Across the borough, the boom sent residents and business owners reeling.

Olivia Grace, owner of a cosmetics store and boutique on Corbet Street, said her building shook.

Her brother, who was at home along Eighth Avenue, said his house also rumbled.

“Oh my God,” Grace said. “I thought it was my ceiling.”

Matt Huet was inside the credit union on Fifth Avenue when he heard the boom.

“Everybody heard it,” he said.

Emergency dispatchers in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties said they were not aware of any explosions in Tarentum.