This weekend at the station has been busy. Mt. Penn joined Lower Alsace (Co4) for the Antietam Homecoming Parade on Saturday morning. The fire companies, along with Central Berks Police led off the parade to escort the homecoming court from the pool to the A-Field where the ceremonies were held.
Not too long after returning to station the rescue was dispatched to assist Lower Alsace at Angora Rd. and Bingaman Rd. for a report of a crash involving a motorcycle and car. The location, as well as all surrounding roads were thoroughly checked with nothing found and the assignment was placed available.
Just before noon the ladder was dispatched to assist Exeter (Co25) for a fire alarm at the Goodwill in St. Lawrence. This is the same alarm that both companies responded to two days ago. After checking the building it was determined the activated detector was faulty and the system was restored.
The rest of the day was uneventful until just before 7:30p.m. when Mt. Penn was dispatched, along with other county companies, to assist the City of Reading for a reported structure fire at 312 Cedar St. City units were operating at another reported structure fire in the 100 block of S. 4th St. at the time of the Cedar St. call. City Engine 9 arrived first and reported a 3 story middle of row home with heavy smoke from the front and fire showing at the back. Fortunately all of the home’s occupants were able to safely escape. The fire extended to structures on either side and a second alarm was called by command. Several lines were used to extinguish the fire which had gotten into the walls and loft and eventually a ladder pipe was used to get to the fire up under the roof. The county units were able to clear just after 10p.m. while several city units remained on the scene for final mop up operations. The exact cause of this fire remains under investigation.
The day, and month of September came to an end with one more run to the Reading Liederkranz just after 11p.m. for a fire alarm. The first arriving officer from Lower Alsace was quickly able to verify it was a false manual pull station and the assignment was recalled. So September ends and it has been our busiest month this year with almost 50 calls. Stay safe!
Reading Eagle Michelle N. Lynch
Reading Eagle Michelle N. Lynch
