'Like a bomb going off': Fire rips through RVs at Camping World in Allegheny Township

An early-morning fire damaged or destroyed more than a dozen recreational vehicles Wednesday at Camping World on Route 356 in Allegheny Township.

Neighbors reported the fire to Westmoreland County 911 about 4:40 a.m. after explosions roused them from sleep, Allegheny Township police Chief Dan Uncapher said.

Rachel Ramsey, who has lived next to the business for six months, said she saw three vehicles on fire. Uncapher said 15 vehicles were involved. A Mercedes conversion van and 14 other campers were damaged or destroyed.

“It sounded like a bomb going off,” Ramsey said.

Ash and other bits of debris littered Ramsey’s yard and above-ground swimming pool.

A neighbor across the street, who declined to give her name, said booms woke up her and her husband, and they kept hearing explosions and loud pops. She has two cats who, she said, were “freaked out” from all the noise.

“I was nervous. I was scared,” Ramsey said. “It was spreading pretty quickly.”

The explosions neighbors heard likely were propane tanks and other combustible equipment and materials on the vehicles, Uncapher said.

“It looked like it originated from one location,” he said. “They’re all packed together in the back. Where it comes from is yet to be determined.”

The business was not occupied at the time, and no one was hurt, Uncapher said. There was no damage to the building.

Firefighters from 10 departments responded.

A manager of Camping World who did not identify himself said company policy prohibits employees from speaking about the incident. He said the dealership remains open to customers and business is continuing as normal.

The vehicles that burned were parked behind the business. The area is under video surveillance, and that footage will be reviewed by investigators, Uncapher said.

A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause.