Reading PA Fire Department

Box 1761 was dispatched at 08:44 this morning for a fire in the rear of the Price Rite Market at 951 N 6th Street. Comm. Center received call from premise and later a fire alarm from that address.

Around 0300 hours, Box 47 was transmitted for the 500 block of north 9th street for smoke in a dwelling. Engine Companies 1,9,13,3, Ladder 3, Tower 1, The Rescue and Medic 603 were alerted. M603 in the area arrived and reported nothing evident, Engine 1's acting crewman (Witman) entered the building and encountered smoke in the stairwell of a 2 1/2 story occupied.

Crews hastily stretched a line to the third floor to find a heavy smoke condition, and a burning mattress to be it's cause. Car 7 notified the fire marshals office, sending car 23 to the scene. A space heater with a burned out extension cord was determined to be the cause. The fire was placed under control @ 0337.

Box 74 at 15:58 for a reported fire at 522 Schuylkill Ave. Heavy smoke 2nd floor on approach. Crews advanced a single handline up the stairs and used a thermal imaging camera to locate the seat of the fire and check for victims.

A double wide apartment over a former liquor store, the apartment received heavy damage. Smoke and heat throughout plus some extension. Occupants were 2 men who were questioned by police. Investigation is continuing. Some units were on the scene for more than two

Box 83 for smoke condition in the 500 blk. of Robeson Street. Car 6 arrived in the block and reported heavy smoke from 541 Robeson, working fire. Second report of fire blowing out second floor window in the rear.

Crews advanced a single handline through the second floor to the rear and encountered a rear bedroom well involved. A second line was pulled and advanced to the third floor but not used. Heavy smoke throughout the occupied structure with overhaul to the bedroom and third floor above the area of the fire. Investigation is continuing.