A local motorist became an unhappy camper Monday afternoon.

Warren County resident Cody Bogle, 25, was hauling a 30-foot camper inbound on Manchester Highway when it burst into flames in the area of Maple Street, close to the Warren and Coffee County line. He was able to detach the camper to prevent damage to his vehicle.

“The camper was given to Mr. Bogle,” said Warren County Sheriff’s Department Major Jason Walker. “He was bringing it home.”

The camper was a total loss.

“It was already fully involved when we got to it,” said Morrison Fire Department Chief Aaron Roberts. “It was almost to the ground. There was no saving it.”

The inferno is being blamed on a blown tire, with the fire likely originating from the wheel well and quickly spreading to the rest of the camper.

“He was bringing it home, a tire blew out, and the camper caught on fire,” said Walker. 

Removing what remained then became problematic. While local towing companies were contacted, they declined to transport the debris due to the length of the camper and being unable to pull it onto a rollback given its condition.

According to Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Mr. Bogle will be responsible for the cleanup.