Two people and a dog escaped after a motorhome became fully engulfed in flames and several propane tanks exploded at an RV park near Marengo Wednesday evening.
The Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts responded around 8:49 p.m. Wednesday to Lehman’s Lakeside RV Resort, 19609 Harmony Road in unincorporated Marengo, for a report of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a 36-foot recreational vehicle (RV) fully engulfed in flames, according to Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts Communication Specialist Alex Vucha.
Several propane tanks reportedly exploded during the incident but the small explosions did not cause any secondary fires.
Vucha said the surrounding trees and grass caught fire as a result of the heavy flames from the RV.
The incident was upgraded to a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) second alarm to ensure adequate resources were available due to the intensity of the fire and the threat of it spreading further.
“Despite these challenging conditions, firefighters were able to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent vehicles,” Vucha said.
Firefighters quickly brought the situation under control and it was determined that the resources on the scene were sufficient.
Two adult occupants and their dog were able to escape the RV before firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported.
Vucha said the RV was a total loss and the fire was fully extinguished within 30 minutes.
A damage loss was not immediately available.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts.