Cause of Webster fire under investigation

WEBSTER – A state police fire marshal has been asked to investigate a fire and reported van explosion that damaged a large storage building Wednesday night in Webster.
Ruth Koontz of Donora, who leases the building at 310 Webster Hollow Road, said a man whose identity was not immediately known Thursday suffered severe burns when he started the engine of a van at the scene and the vehicle burst into flames.
She said the man was taken to Mon Valley Hospital by a relative and then transferred by helicopter to UPMC-Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh.
The fire in the former Buck’s Garage car dealership filled the building with heavy smoke, according to the report at Rostraver Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 in Webster.
The fire marshal’s office said it was due to investigate the fire scene Thursday afternoon.
The fire department cleared the scene about midnight.
“They saved that place,” Koontz said.
Police said the building is owned by Kenny Kolodziej of Forward Township.
Assisting Webster at the scene were firefighters from Collinsburg, Fellsburg and Lock No. 4.