The I-90 Express Responds
to Thruway Service Area

MidTown - April 2, 2003 --- According to the driver of this van, he began to experience engine trouble and see smoke shortly before approaching the eastbound service area at Milepost 447 on the New York State Thruway. He put the van in neutral and coasted into the service plaza as flames came from the front grille of the van.

The driver and his wife, on their way home to Hamilton ON Canada, immediately evacuated the vehicle and ran to the nearby gas station - alerting attendants to dial 911.

Evans Center Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 6pm and the van was well involved in fire when Engine 2 arrived. Their crew of Mike Hontz, Duncan Jewitt, Kevin Widelko, and Leon Widelko Jr. dropped an attack line off the rear of the engine and began to put water on the fire. Engine 1 pulled a back-up line as Engine 3's crew helped with overhaul.

Once the fire was out, Evans Center Volunteers pulled all of the occupants' luggage and belongings from the van and helped them to sort and salvage what they could.

Firefighters then loaded the recovered items into the trunk of a New York State Police Trooper's cruiser. Trooper Lynette Menna then transported the two stranded people to obtain a rental car in order to complete their journey.

Evans Center was assisted by Angola Fire Control and Pinto's Collision. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. Eleven firefighters were under the direction of Assistant Chief Ken Hontz.

Photos by: SARAH HULL/Evans Center

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