On February 19 just before 10:30p.m. E1 was dispatched on the second alarm to assist the City of Reading with a working structure fire at 634 S. 16 1/2 St on the city’s east side. When city crews initially arrived they were confronted with heavy fire in one house with extension and exposure problems in two other houses on this steep and narrow street. E1 was able to catch a hydrant at S. 16th & Fairview and lay a supply line up the hill to an alley where a 3″ leader line was stretched to the rear of the involved structures. This enabled them to wye off smaller lines for fire attack purposes. The fire was placed under control shortly after midnight with severe damage to 3 homes. E1 returned shortly after 1a.m. The fire remains under investigation by the City Fire Marshal’s office.
S 16 1/2 St Feb 19 courtesy of Reading Eagle/B. Hasty
S. 161/2 St Feb 19, 2016 Courtesy of M. Vogt
S 16 1/2 St Feb 19 courtesy of Reading Eagle/B. Hasty
While E1 was busy with the fire, L1 &R1 were dispatched to 777 Court St at approximately 10:40p.m. for an odor investigation in the boiler room area. The area was metered with no readings or odors found and the call was quickly cleared.
Just before 11p.m as the ladder and rescue were starting to work their way back to Mt. Penn they were dispatched along with other county companies for a reported structure fire in the area of 617 N. 9th St. On arrival nothing was found other than UGI crews working on an earlier gas main break in the area and Car 4 (Hart) had the companies clear.
After clearing N 9th St. Car 4 directed the ladder and rescue to the 3rd & Court St. station to standby until reserve city apparatus was placed in service by recalled firefighters. Once this was taken care of both units returned to Mt. Penn’s station shortly after midnight.
