Partial collapse at former Cheswick Power Station prompts safety assessment

Partial collapse at former Cheswick Power Station prompts safety assessment

SPRINGDALE, PA — Engineers are assessing structural stability at the former Cheswick Power Station after approximately half of the building collapsed during demolition, Allegheny County Police said Saturday.

The collapse occurred as crews conducted the final cuts on the boiler house of the decommissioned power plant. Demolition had been scheduled within the hour following a five-minute warning siren. Authorities had already implemented road closures in the area before the structure came down.

“Initial assessments are approximately half the building collapsed. Engineers are currently assessing options as far as how to proceed,” the Allegheny County Police Department said in an update. Officials urged residents to remain in place as they evaluated the situation.

No injuries have been reported, and authorities have not indicated whether the collapse deviated from the planned demolition. The Cheswick Power Station, which was the last coal-fired power plant in Allegheny County, was shut down in 2022.