Fire in Pennsylvania Salvage Yard Consumes 300-Plus Cars

Firefighters say a massive blaze at an automobile salvage yard in western Pennsylvania consumed more than 300 cars and brought nearby train traffic to a halt.

The (Washington) Observer-Reporter says seven fire departments were called to Pitt-Mon Auto Salvage in Monongahela shortly after 4 p.m. Friday.

Chief Frank Hnatik of the Monongahela fire department says a spark from an employee’s cutting torch ignited a nearby car, and the fire spread to surrounding vehicles.

He says high winds then spread the blaze throughout the salvage yard, and hot embers also sparked a brushfire near adjacent railroad tracks.

Norfolk Southern shut down train traffic in the area because fire hoses and equipment crossed the railroad tracks.

No injuries were reported.