On August 8, 2016 at 9:30p.m. Mt. Penn and Lower Alsace (Co4) were dispatched to 2311 Grant St. for a reported vehicle fire. Deputy 1 (Wertz) arrived first and confirmed a working fire on Beech St. about 4 feet from the Mt. Penn Elementary School and had the call upgraded to a structure assignment which brought the rest of companies 1 & 4 along with the tower from Birdsboro (Co7) as well as an engine and tower from the city of Reading. The fire was knocked down in a few minutes but not before the radiant heat caused several windows on both floors of the school to break which allowed smoke into the building and set off the fire alarm. The additional crews checked for extension inside and placed multiple fans in service to clear the smoke condition. School officials arrived and made contact with Berks Fire & Water to begin cleanup and secure the building. All companies were available by 11:00p.m. The fire remains under investigation.
On arrival
Deputy 1 stretches the first line
Second line in service to protect building
Deputy 1-1 checks conditions in classroom
