Reading PA Fire Department

Box 721 for possible structure at 413 Tulpehocken Street. Engine 3 on location with Car 6 reported smoke throughout dwelling. Single handline into first floor. Fire involved basement stairs and into wall and was quickly extinguished. Crews checking basement noted hissing sound and found natural gas meter broken off and gas free flowing. Firefighters shut gas off at the curb.

Structure was ventilated and overhauled, gas company was called to the scene. Also, Red Cross to care for family of three. The police were called to investigate.

It was reported that a candle was the cause of a fire in a residence at 1213 Cotton Street late Saturday night. Box 21 was dispatched shortly after 23:00 and sent Engines 13, 5, 1, 3 safety, Tower 1, Rescue 2, Medic 602, and Cars 4 and 9 to the scene. Car 9 arrived on location and reported fire in the rear of a two and a half story middle of the row with possible extension into the exposure. Two lines were pulled, one advanced into the fire building and the other directed for the exposure. The fire began on the outside of the dwelling and extended into the structure, crews had to open up the rear wall of the home to overhaul. The exposure received minor heat and moderate smoke damage. Firefighters had the flames under control within 20 minutes.

Two people escaped the fire which was reported to have been started by a citronella candle burning on the rear porch. One of the victims, a female, was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation. It was also reported that the homeowner attempted to quell the flames prior to calling 911. The fire was ruled accidental.