UPDATE: 5:14 p.m.: A liberal use of water along with fast action to turn off liquid natural gas valves averted a major explosion Thursday, Nov. 2, when a truck caught fire at the Love’s Travel Stop in north Ontario, according to the Ontario Fire and Rescue Department.
The department confirmed late Friday, Nov. 3, that Joseph Pesola, Meridian, was the driver of the liquid national gas transport truck operated by McNabb Trucking of Pocatello. Pesola was transported by ambulance to a Boise-area hospital after emergency responders arrived at the truck stop at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, after reports of a man on fire.
Fire crews also found the truck in a nearby vacant lot on fire. The lot is used to transfer liquid natural gas on a mobile trailer to trucks that operate on natural gas.
The fire triggered a small-scale evacuation at the truck stop.
How the blaze started – whether it was a truck engine fire or a fuel leak – is still under investigation.
UPDATE: 2:35 p.m. Friday: The Oregon State Fire Marshal Region 14 Hazmat Team was on the scene of a fire at Love’s Travel Stop that occurred Thursday night. The hazmat team tested the air quality of the area and determined the area is safe and there is no threat to the community. Meanwhile, Ontario Fire and Rescue in conjunction with the Oregon State Fire Marshal are still investigating the cause of the fire. Ontario Fire and Rescue said there are no road closures but asks for motorists to avoid the area of truck stop at 1800 N. Park Blvd.
Further updates on the fire will be provided through the Ontario Fire and Rescue Department and can be found on the city of Ontario and the Ontario Fire and Rescue Facebook pages.
ONTARIO – A Meridian man was severely injured in a truck fire that triggered a small-scale evacuation at Love’s Travel Stop Thursday night.
Area police and fire agencies were dispatched to the truck stop in north Ontario at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, after reports of a man on fire.
On arrival at the scene, first responders discovered Joseph Pesola with severe burns to his body. Pesola was later transported by ambulance to a Boise-area hospital.
Meanwhile fire crews also found a commercial motor vehicle in a vacant lot near the truck stop was on fire and quickly extinguished the blaze.
This story will be updated.
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