A tractor trailer hauling paper caught fire and exploded at a Pennsylvania Turnpike service station early this morning.
The explosion happened shortly after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, at the westbound New Stanton service plaza near mile maker 77.
The truck driver was reportedly unaware that his brakes had caught fire when he pulled up to the diesel pumps at the service station, according to news station WXPI.
The truck was soon engulfed in flames and the fire spread to the fuel island. Authorities say that the pumps were immediately shut off to keep the fire from growing.
Youngwood Fire Chief Lloyd Crago said that he was on scene working to knock down the fire when the truck exploded, with debris from missing him by only two feet.
Someone was watching over me tonight!! When truck exploded this piece of the truck missed me by about 2 feet!! Thank You pic.twitter.com/cWZ7GDbgfV
— Lloyd Crago (@Firechief26) June 11, 2019
Firefighters say it took them about half an hour to extinguish the truck fire.
No injuries were reported, but the service plaza was evacuated.
Authorities say that gasoline services should be restored around noon today, but due to the heavy damage sustained at the diesel pumps, it isn’t clear when they will reopen. “It could be anywhere from weeks to months … depending on how extensive the damage is,” said Pennsylvania Turnpike spokesperson Carl DeFebo.
