Visitors to Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Arts Festival react to propane explosion at food court – WPXI

PHOTOS: Fire breaks out at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Arts Festival

“I was scared because I’ve seen where it actually explodes before, so we all smelled the gas and it was like hissing and stuff. I was afraid it would explode or something, but luckily it didn’t,” he said. face paint and henna vendor Edyn Marsland.

A 28-year-old man who worked at the food tent was taken to Mercy Hospital in serious but stable condition to be treated for second-degree burns to his arms and legs, according to Pittsburgh Deputy Fire Chief Bernard Mohan.

“We believe the propane cylinder that was involved may have been over-pressurized. This is the preliminary report we are getting, hence when it was exposed to heat, it caught fire,” said Mohan.

Marsland saw it all unfold.

“We just set up right here and then it caught on fire. I saw the guy. He kind of jumped back and we all started running,” Marsland described.

Once the fire was extinguished and fire investigators got to work, just steps away outside the police warning box, Arts Fest got back to business.

“The festival continues uninterrupted. The program is open. Our food court is temporarily closed. The festival continues. Come to the concerts,” said Derek Scalzott, senior director of communications and marketing management for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which organizes the event.

Visitors like Kimberly Tymous are also looking forward to getting the major downtown festival back on track.

“It’s really a great event,” she said. “I love seeing everyone come together in unity, enjoying the music, enjoying the festivities, shopping for art, eating out. I like.”

Arts Fest runs until June 9.

The Allegheny County Health Department will determine when the food court can reopen.

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