Explosion at car wash injures 2
Caution tape surrounds Ducky’s Car Wash on O’Hara Street after an apparent natural gas explosion Sunday morning that injured two men.
An apparent natural gas explosion in McDonald injured two men at Ducky's Car Wash on O'Hara Street. The smoke could be seen throughout the town.
Two men were injured Sunday morning when a boiler exploded inside the office at Ducky’s Car Wash, 300 O’Hara St., McDonald.
McDonald police identified the two injured as Rich Bongiorni of Burgettstown, the owner of the car wash, and Dennis Fodsey of McDonald, a customer.
Officer Jeff Cupelli said Bongiorni was in the office lighting the boiler when it exploded.
“He said he had a cold and did not notice the odor from the buildup of natural gas,” Cupelli said Sunday. “It just blew up when he tried to light it.”
Fodsey was in an adjacent wash bay washing the rear window of his 2000 Ford Explorer when the boiler exploded. His wife, Amy Fodsey, was seated in the front passenger seat.
“Every window was blown out, but she did not have a scratch on her,” Cupelli said. “There were bricks and debris on the back seat.”
The Fodseys told police they could smell the odor of natural gas when they arrived at the car wash, but they decided to stay.
Both men were taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. Bongiorni had first and second degree burns to his face. Fodsey’s hair, eyebrows and eyelashes were singed.
Police said Bongiorni’s truck was also damaged in the explosion.
Firefighters from McDonald, Midway, Mt. Pleasant and Sturgeon responded in addition to Fort Cherry Ambulance. Columbia Gas Co. crews were also called to the scene.