Plum manager, community development director among those killed in house explosion

PLUM BOROUGH, Pa. — Two Plum Borough employees are among those who died when a house exploded on Saturday, Channel 11 has learned.

• LATEST UPDATES: 6 people dead, including child, after massive explosion in Plum
• PHOTOS: House leveled in explosion in Plum Borough; several other homes damaged

Sources tell 11 News that Michael Thomas, the borough manager, lived one home over from where the explosion happened, but he was inside the home that exploded at the time.

Thomas’ wife, daughter and their dog were next-door at their home at the time of the explosion.

His wife was able to escape through a window, his daughter was able to run out with the dog, and the two of them are physically OK after being released from the hospital.

Heather Oravitz, community development director for the borough, lived in the house that exploded and was killed, the mayor confirms. Her husband, Paul, died at the hospital a few days later after being transported in critical condition.

Several sources also told Channel 11 that Casey and Keegan Clontz are among the six who died after a house on Rustic Ridge exploded Saturday morning. Casey was 38. Keegan was 12.

It’s still unclear why Thomas and Casey and Keegan Clontz were in the home when it exploded.

Sources also confirmed to Channel 11 that Kevin Sebunia was killed in the explosion. According to property records, Sebunia lived nearby.

11 News crews saw Peoples Gas employees in the area all day Monday, going into different neighbors’ yards and digging into the ground.

A spokesperson for Peoples Gas said crews are conducting their investigation into what happened. They would not say if anyone smelled gas before the blast.

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