VIDEO: Demo crews implode former Elrama power plant in Pennsylvania

The former Elrama power plant, located along the Monongahela River in Union Township, Pennsylvania, was reduced to rubble after an implosion on May 12, reports CBS News.

The plant, which stood for nearly seven decades, came down around 9:30 a.m. with hundreds of spectators in the surrounding area to witness the massive demolition. Following the blast, about 30 percent of the structure was still standing, so the demolition contractor scheduled a second implosion for the evening. The second blast left only a few parts behind, which will be taken down with machinery.

Residents described the plant as a “fixture off Route 837,” reports CBS. Built in the 1950s, the plant—once operated by Gen-On Energy—was decommissioned in 2012.

As reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the most recent demolition went better than an earlier attempt in November 2022 when the cooling tower at the site was imploded without notifying the local fire department. This time, the department had several trucks and officials to help with crowds watching the implosion.

As demolition continues at the site, the tall red smokestack is expected to be razed, but future redevelopment for the site remains unknown. The Tribune-Review reports that Capexel of Puerto Rico owns the property through a subsidiary of Trogon Development LLC. According to the Observer-Reporter, Trogon purchased the property for $5.14 million in March 2021.

Watch the video below, courtesy of CBS News, to see the full implosion.