ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) – Explosions sparked flames at a Westmoreland County RV dealership Wednesday morning. Allegheny Township Police Chief Daniel Uncapher told KDKA that at least 18 RVs were destroyed or damaged.
No one was injured. Investigators are now trying to find out what caused the explosion.
KDKA photojournalist Dan Vojtko
Bright orange flames shot into the sky from the rear parking lot of Camping World on Route 356. Rachel Ramsey and her husband were awakened by loud explosions.
“It looked like a huge campfire,” Ramsey said. “All you hear is banging, banging, banging.”
They became nervous and ran outside to see what was going on. They quickly realized it was coming from the campers.
“It looked like three of them were on fire and the fire was spreading. There were loud bangs and hissing sounds as the tires exploded,” Ramsey said.
According to Uncapher, emergency crews were called to the area at 4:42 a.m. and found several RVs on fire.
“Our officers were on the scene within seven minutes,” said Uncapher.
Firefighters from ten companies spent hours putting out the flames and extinguishing embers that could have been caused by various chemicals on the vehicles.
“In every RV there are many fuel sources, there are batteries, there are propane tanks, sometimes diesel and gasoline,” Uncapher said.
According to Uncapher, the store was empty at the time.
“The gates were closed. They were still closed when officers got here, so we have no reason to believe anyone broke in,” Uncapher said.
However, the cause remains unclear.
Whatever the case, Ramsey is a little shaken because he realizes that things could have been much worse.
“I’ll definitely remember that. It was a great way to wake up at 4:30 a.m.,” Ramsey said.
The state fire protection officer is investigating with the support of the local police and fire department.
KDKA has reached out to Camping World for comment but has not yet received a response.
Stay with KDKA-TV and KDKA.com for the latest information on this developing story.
