Fire at Ontario gas station leads to severe burns for 61-year-old Meridian man

ONTARIO, Oregon (CBS2) — According to a recent news release, at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, members of the Ontario Police and Fire Departments and other local area public safety officials responded to the report of a man on fire at Love's Travel Center. Malheur County 911 dispatch received numerous calls of a large fire associated with the event.

Upon arriving in the area, public safety officials encountered a 61-year-old man who sustained severe burns to his body. The man was transported via ambulance to a Boise area hospital. He is identified as Joseph Pesola from Meridian.

A large fire from a commercial motor vehicle was located in a vacant lot directly east of Love's Travel Center. The location is utilized as a mobile station for transferring liquid natural gas.

The surrounding area was evacuated, and no additional injuries were reported resulting from the incident.

The investigation by the Ontario Fire Department is ongoing, and information will be shared as it becomes available.

A GoFundMe was created to help Joseph's recovery. If you would like to donate, click HERE.

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