Reading PA Fire Department

Box 164 was dispatched at 20:29 tonight for a reported structure fire at the Lancaster Avenue Diner at Lancaster Ave and McAdoo Street, dispatch reported receiving multiple calls for the incident. Engine 14 arrived on location and reported a working fire, fire through the roof. Lines were immediately placed into service and the building was laddered. Command arrived and reported heavy fire coming from the diner, possible fire in the loft and wires burning off. He ordered a second alarm and called for police to close Lancaster Ave due to hose lays across the road.

Within 20 minutes Command reported the fire blackened down, crews making good progress, shortly after 21:00 the fire was put under control. Firefighters contained the fire within the loft area of the large barn shaped building. The dining room and kitchen were heavily damaged. Car 23, Lt. Born, was called to investigate. There were no reports of injuries. On the box with Engine 14 were Engines 5, 3, 1, Ladder 1, Rescue 1, Medic 601 and Cars 2 and 8. On the 2nd, Tower 1, Engines 13 and 8, Cars 22 and 9.

Reports of more than 100 people being evacuated from the Centre Park Place Apartments at 605 N. Fifth St. after 14:00 today. Firefighters on location for an AFA reported a working fire and heavy smoke through out the large multi-unit apartment building. Box was transmitted.

Fire was reported to involve rags at the bottom of the elevator shaft. Aside from the smoke damage no significant damage reports were indicated. There were no reported injuries.