Man severely burned after catching fire at Love’s Travel Center in Ontario
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
Ontario- (Release from Ontario Police Department)
Date/Time: November 2, 2023/1633 hours
Location: 1800 block of N. Park Blvd.
Ontario, Oregon: At approximately 1615hrs members of the Ontario police and Fire Department(s), along with 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 that had sustained severe burns to his body. The man was transported via ambulance to a Boise, Id. Area hospital. He is identified as Joseph Pesola from Meridian, Idaho.
A large fire originating 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 the transfer of liquid natural gas.
The surrounding area was evacuated, and no additional injuries reported resulting from the incident.
The investigation by the Ontario Fire Department is on-going and information will be shared as it becomes available.
The following agencies assisted with the incident: Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Fruitland Fire Department, Vale Fire Department, New Plymouth Fire Department, Treasure Valley Paramedics and Parma Ambulance.
