6/4/26 Somerset County PA 80 Vehicles Trapped in PA Turnpike Tunnel Fire

[raybrag]

From Ken E. Bacon on Facebook:

"BREAKING: Scenes from the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel Fire in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. More than 150 people were rescued after about 80 vehicles became trapped inside the tunnel. The fire shut down the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Please keep everyone in your thoughts."


FYI: The Allegheny Mountain Tunnel is about 75 miles east of Pittsburgh.

150 people forced to evacuate vehicles due to fire in PA Turnpike tunnel, officials say

Turnpike officials said approximately 150 people were evacuated from nearly 80 vehicles due to a vehicle fire in the Allegheny Tunnel.

www.wgal.com

Around 150 people evacuated after vehicle fire in Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnel

A vehicle caught fire inside the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Thursday.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[ExChief-551]

No injuries besides the driver of the vehicle that caught fire, but that was a medical related issue.

 

[80sQueensbuff]

What kind of vehicle caused all that fire right by the entrance?

 

[ExChief-551]

What kind of vehicle caused all that fire right by the entrance?

A pickup truck hauling a large trailer.

 

[entropychaser]

The historic background-

In the early 1880's, Andrew Carnegie (P&LE RR), William Vanderbilt (NYCRR), and Henry Frick began building the Southern Pennsylvania Railroad between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg to compete with the Pennsylvania RR. After about five years, they gave up.

In the late 1930's, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought the right-of-way for the abandoned project to build the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Of the nine tunnels originally constructed, six were used, two were not needed, and one- Allegheny Mountain- was completely built new.

And, of course, the Howard Johnson rest stops were added.