8/31 - Man dies in camper fire

SOMERSET, Pa. — A Masontown, Pa., man died early Sunday after the camper he was sleeping in caught on fire.

Pennsylvania State Police were called to Scottyland Campground along state Route 653 after neighboring campers called 911 about 1:40 a.m. to report the fire.

The victim, Gary T. Defrances, 34, was unable to be rescued by New Centerville Volunteer Fire Department firefighters due to extreme heat and smoke. His fiancee and children were able to escape, police said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office.