Driver unhurt in rig explosion

A spectacular fire on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Wednesday flamed high into the night sky, backing up traffic for miles in both directions.

A tractor-trailer traveling east just past the New Stanton exit, near mile marker 78, suddenly exploded, burst into flames and sent smoke billowing into the sky. Witnesses said the driver, who was not identified as of early this morning, escaped injury and was seen speaking with state police.

The Westmoreland Depart-ment of Public Safety reported no injuries. It was unclear whether any other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Marlene Lemley, an employee of a Sunoco service station in the service plaza located about 100 yards from the fire scene, said she heard "an explosion, then several others, probably the tires. It wasn't pleasant to hear."

Lemley, a Sunoco shift leader who lives in Tarrs, East Huntingdon Township, has worked at the station since 1979. When she heard the initial explosion, she instinctively went to a telephone and dialed 911. "I've seen just about everything imaginable working here. I thought I could look to see (the fire) later."

Lemley said she could see from inside the store the flames from the truck. Her co-worker, John Horvath, 21, of Wyano, said he was standing outside when the explosion occurred. "I heard a big boom. A guy who was pumping gas came running over and said for us to call 911."

Horvath said "giant flames" rose at least 30 to 40 feet in the air. "The entire truck just burst into flames. It was burning about 15 minutes before firemen could get to it."

An orange glow could be seen for miles in the night sky, and thick, black smoke choked motorists who pulled off a secondary road which runs parallel to the turnpike to watch firefighters battle the blaze.

County dispatchers reported the truck fire sparked a field fire, but witnesses said the secondary blaze appeared to be contained quickly.

One witness carrying a handheld scanner said he heard a report that firefighters were hoping to contain the stubborn blaze until a county foam truck could be brought in to smother it.

A county dispatcher said at least 10 fire companies were called to the scene.

The fire was reported at 10 p.m., and traffic was backed up for miles in both directions. Traffic was being rerouted through Mt. Pleasant early this morning. Firefighters remained on the scene early this morning.