Tractor-trailer cab burns in Oakmont, no injuries

Jan. 9—No one was injured but traffic had to be detoured when a tractor-trailer cab caught on fire Tuesday afternoon on Allegheny Avenue near the Riverside Community Church in Oakmont.

Oakmont firefighters responded to the blaze just before 5 p.m., according to fire Chief Joe Flanick. The fire occurred as the truck was hauling an empty flatbed trailer south on the avenue, he said.

"Somebody banged on the door and told (the driver) to get out," Flanick said. "Once he got out, the whole thing became engulfed in flames."

Megan Law, who works at a nearby gas station, said a customer came into the business to report the fire, and she provided him with a fire extinguisher. But, she said, "The flames were too big to do anything."

Flanick said his department's quick response kept the flames from spreading to overhead utility lines.

"The cab is definitely totaled," he said. "The trailer is probably fine."

Traffic was detoured around the section of Allegheny Avenue as firefighters doused the flames and crews came in to mop up and contain spilled diesel fuel and worked to haul away the damaged rig.

The road remained closed at about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Jay Newland, pastor at Riverside Community Church, spent time with the truck driver after he escaped from the fire. Newland said many people from Oakmont stopped to check on the welfare of the driver, who hailed from Cleveland and "was pretty shook up."

Newland said he took the man to a nearby restaurant, The Pub at 333, to offer him a meal, but the servers all chipped in to cover the check when they learned about his ordeal.

"It was really neat to see," Newland said.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .