Woman pulled from a burning vehicle in extraordinary video
Following the shocking incident, the couple are now homeless
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A woman was rescued from her burning camper van which then set alight at least two other vehicles in Pennsylvania, US.
According to ABC news, the couple inside the camper van – which is their permanent home – soon realised smoke was coming from their vehicle. As they tried to control the situation in the Pocono Mountain region in Pennsylvania, the brakes then failed.
Joseph Salace, the vehicle owner, explained: “We were just driving along and then all of a sudden smoke started rolling out of the back."
A woman trapped inside the vehicle was pulled from it by US navy veteran, Christopher Chmielnicki on Friday.
Describing his rescue, he explained: “I couldn’t see in front of me and then finally I felt her leg, the woman was unconscious so I picked her and dragged her to the front of the (vehicle). The flames were within about two feet of her.”
The woman, who suffered smoke inhalation, is believed to be recovering after narrowly avoiding severe burns.
The camper van set fire to at least two other vehicles before setting ablaze the power lines above.
Mr Chmielnicki described the street as looking like a “warzone”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments