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Pittsburgh gasometer explosion

1927 in PennsylvaniaExplosions in 1927Gas explosions in the United StatesHistory of Pittsburgh
Gas Explosion (715.275490.CP)
Gas Explosion (715.275490.CP)

The Pittsburgh gasometer explosion, or Equitable Gas explosion, was an accident that took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the morning of November 14, 1927. A huge cylindrical gasometer, the largest in the world at that time at 5 million cubic feet (140,000 m3), developed a leak, and repairmen were sent to fix it. The exact cause of the explosion is not known, but some of those repairing the leak were using acetylene torches. There was a loud explosion, and three gasometers at the site exploded. A "dense mass of dust and smoke" rose from the ruins before igniting into a ball of fire reported as 100 feet in diameter, which rose further before burning out at a height of 1000 feet. Most buildings within a radius of half a mile were damaged, with windows being broken a mile away, causing upwards of $4 million worth of damage. It was reported that the explosion "caused lofty downtown skyscrapers to tremble and sway as if hit by an earthquake". 28 people were killed and hundreds were injured.

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Pittsburgh gasometer explosion
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Gas Explosion (715.275490.CP)
Gas Explosion (715.275490.CP)
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Acrisure Stadium
Acrisure Stadium

Acrisure Stadium is a football stadium located in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It primarily serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Pittsburgh Panthers of the NCAA Football in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The stadium opened in 2001, after the controlled implosion of the teams' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium, and was originally named Heinz Field because the once locally based H. J. Heinz Company purchased the naming rights in 2001. Heinz declined to sign a new deal after its naming rights expired in February 2022. Funded in conjunction with PNC Park and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the $281 million (equivalent to $430.03 million in 2021) stadium stands along the Ohio River, on the North Side of Pittsburgh in the North Shore neighborhood. The stadium was designed with the city of Pittsburgh's history of steel production in mind, which led to the inclusion of 12,000 tons of steel into construction. Ground for the stadium was broken in June 1999, and the first football game was hosted in September 2001. The stadium's natural-grass surface has been criticized throughout its history, but Steelers owners have kept the grass after lobbying from players and coaches. The 68,400-seat stadium has sold out for every Steelers home game, a streak that dates to 1972. A collection of Steelers and Panthers memorabilia is in the Great Hall. The stadium has hosted two outdoor hockey games: the 2011 NHL Winter Classic between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, and the 2017 NHL Stadium Series game between the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. The venue has also hosted numerous concerts; on May 18, 2019, a Garth Brooks performance was attended by 75,000 people, the highest-ticketed show in Pittsburgh history.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

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