February 15, 2004
C Platoon
Box 641
1115 Spring St.
Cold and Windy, Wind Chill 12°
A City man was critically injured this morning after fire swept through his northeast Reading apartment. The Man was pulled from the dwelling after Firefighters found him unconscious in the tub of a 1st floor bathroom, He was treated by Paramedics on the scene and then transported to the landing area to await a Medivac Helicopter, his condition remained critical late Sunday night.
Engine 9 and Ladder 2 were dispatched to the address at 08:35 for a possible smoke condition. When units arrived on the scene they found heavy smoke coming from the building and immediately called for the Box Alarm. The fire involved the contents of a middle room on the first floor and may have been ignited by a space heater, it was put under control within 30 minutes. It has been reported that the victim may have been attempting to extinguish the fire and became overcome. Additional Units that responded with the Box were Engines 11, 1, and 13 - Safety; Snorkel 1 and Rescue 1; Medic 603, 601 and Cars 1, 3, 6, 22 and 600. The FM responded to investigate and the State Fire Marshall was also notified as was the Mayor.
Firefighters assisting in the Rescue were FF's. M. Welsh and P. Kozak. Two other Firefighters were injured on the call and were treated at the hospital but later released, the extent of those injuries were not readily known.
Thanks to Lt. Wentzel for these pictures and to all the Firefighters who contributed to this story
UPDATE
May 4, 2004
It has been reported that the victim injured in this fire succumbed to his injuries today. The man, who was severely burned, became the first fire fatality in the City in nearly 3 years.
