Crews extinguish tire fire in Westmoreland County

EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Firefighters battled a massive blaze in Westmoreland County Tuesday afternoon where more than a thousand tires were on fire.

Heavy smoke filled the air around Sewage Plant Road in East Huntingdon Township as crews arrived to put out the flames.

“This used to be a salvage yard about 15 years ago. It went out of business, but (people) kept dumping tires in here. We had several thousand tires,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Taylor.

Officials said foam was used to extinguish the blaze because water is not as effective in putting out burning tires.

The heat from the flames posed a threat to nearby homes.

“The heat was moving over to our houses.  I just took my garden hose and got my neighbors and sprayed around until the firefighters got here,” said Ed Siwula.

Several fire companies helped fight the fire, and a cooling station was set up for crews.

No injuries were reported.

WPXI