Police Release Details in Horse Trailer Fire

KEATING TWP. – Police have released details in the fire that destroyed a pickup truck and hay wagon on Route 155 Sunday night.

Michael Tumas, age 60, of Austin, was traveling north on Route 155, approximately 2 miles north of the Cameron County line, when his truck caught fire.

Tumas told police he was driving up the hill when his truck began to slow, and his transmission failed. Tumas said he pulled off the roadway, and then noticed the underside of his truck was on fire.

Trooper Delp of the Coudersport-based State Police said the truck and hay wagon were both completely engulfed in flames upon his arrival at the scene.

Both the truck, a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, and the horse trailer, a 1994 Mortiz trailer, suffered disabling damage and were towed from the scene.

Austin and Emporium fire departments assisted at the scene.