A tractor-trailer hauling paper caught fire at a fuel pump island along the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Tuesday morning, according to state police, shutting down a service plaza for several hours.
The incident was reported shortly after 3 a.m. at the New Stanton plaza, located at milepost 77.6 westbound.
According to Rosanne Placey, manager of media and public relations with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, gasoline to the station was immediately shut off and the plaza was evacuated. The plaza itself reopened around 5:40 a.m., she said, so motorists could utilize the restaurants and bathrooms.
Gasoline was restored to the plaza around 4:40 p.m., but diesel pumps were still not operational at that time. Placey said diesel fuel could be restored by Tuesday night.
Motorists could get gas about three miles up the road, which requires leaving the turnpike, Placey said.
On Scene : working trailer truck fire at the fuel pumps . Pa turnpike pic.twitter.com/diHDxWMq8J
— Lloyd Crago (@Firechief26) June 11, 2019
Fire our New Stanton Service plaza ... but yes pumps are closed pic.twitter.com/AVDsUG2xAl
— Lloyd Crago (@Firechief26) June 11, 2019
State police Cpl. Mike Brandtonies said the truck was at a pump station when it caught fire. The flames then spread to the pump station.
Youngwood fire Chief Lloyd Crago posted photos of the fire and its aftermath on his Twitter account.
Nobody was hurt in the blaze, but the service plaza was closed as a precaution, Brandtonies said.
Placey said officials do not yet have a cause for the fire or an estimated cost of damage.
