Members of rock band Sanctus Real and their crew and family members escaped harm when their tour bus caught fire on the road early this morning.
Nine adults and four children were aboard the 1999 Prevost, returning from a show in Maryland, when driver Stephanie Heisinger looked in the mirror around 4 a.m. and saw flames coming out of the rear passenger-side engine compartment.
Police arrived in about 10 minutes and firefighters began arriving in 15 to 20 minutes, Ms. Heisinger and band member Chris Rohman said.
One firefighter was injured and the westbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike were closed for four hours while firefighters battled the blaze and smouldering wreckage.
The bus was a total loss, but the band’s musical gear was in a separate trailer and undamaged, Chris said.
“We’re very thankful for God’s protection because it could have been much worse,” Ms. Heisinger said.
Because many people have expressed an interest in supporting the band with this unexpected loss of transportation, clothing, and technology, they have set up a non tax-deductible means to donate.
