Kevan Breitinger - CMCentral

Members of rock band Relient K had a rude awakening on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at about 3:20 a.m. Thursday. Asleep on their tour bus, en route to a show in Illinois, they were roused by the bus driver yelling for them to exit the bus immediately, as it was on fire.

While the band and crew members escaped uninjured, the damage was extensive. The blaze and attendant smoke and water damaged or destroyed the band’s instruments, sound equipment and tour merchandise, plus the members’ laptop computers, cell phones, cameras, iPods, clothing and other personal items. Thiessen said his items alone, including a laptop containing about 100 unfinished songs, tallied up to about $7,000.

The flames were spotted by vocalist Thiessen and a friend of his, who were hanging out in the rear of the bus and alerted the driver. Fire engulfed the bus within a few minutes after the evacuation, and a trailer being pulled behind the bus, containing the instruments and merchandise, also caught fire.

Relient K performed Wednesday night for an estimated 75,000 fans at Creation Northeast as opening night head-liners. The fire caused the band to cancel its Thursday night headlining slot at Cornerstone Festival but hopes to perform its scheduled concert Saturday night in Greeley, Colo.

With characteristic wit, singer-songwriter Thiessen assessed Thursday’s fire. “It’s funny to be onstage playing for 75,000 people having a great time, at the height of your element,” he said. “Then hours later standing outside by a burning bus with no shoes on, feeling basically like a refugee.” Please keep the band and the crew in your prayers as they work to move forward.