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3 People Suffer Severe Burns From Campfire In Indiana County

SALTSBURG (KDKA)- Three people were flown to the hospital for severe burns they suffered in Indiana County.

Medics, firefighters and police were called to Market Street in Saltsburg just before 9 p.m. Wednesday. When they arrived, they found three people with severe burns.

The Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department told the Tribune Review that a middle-aged man, middle-aged woman and a teenage girl caught fire while standing next to a campfire.

All three are members of the Kopchick family. They had just gotten news that their 92-year-old grandmother had passed away when the fire pit erupted.

"There was some accelerant used to get the fire started," said neighbor PJ Hruska. "I think we've all done that. I know I have. Like it happens with fires, there was an accident."

All three of the victims were flown to UPMC Mercy Hospital, but there is no word on their current conditions. They include Steve Kopchic, his sister Mary Sue Arnold and his niece Jenna Kopchick.

Mary Jo is believed to be burned the worst on about 30 percent of her body. Steve and Jenna are believed to have suffered burns over 10 percent of their bodies.

"A lot of panic, Mary was in pain," said Hruska. "She was screaming from the pain."

All three are expected to recover from their burns. But they'll soon have to turn their attention to preparing for their mother's funeral.

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