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A Reading firefighter was injured this morning battling a working fire at 243 No. 8th Street. He was taken to Reading hospital from the scene and later released. News reports later stated he suffered a knee injury. The box alarm for the fire came in at 11:13 and immediately after, Car 1 came on radio and reported a heavy smoke condition from Fire Administration inside Reading's city Hall. Engine 13 arrived first due and reported a working fire, fire showing on the first and second floors and threatening the exposures.
A handline was pulled and the crewmen of 13 and Engine 3 advanced it into the fire building after the exposed fire was blackened down. At least one other line was advanced as well. A crew began to check the exposure and the front of the building was laddered. Firefighters knocked down the fire on the first floor and began making their way to the second.
Command was notified that an elderly female resident was un-accounted for outside and he directed firefighters working inside where to search on the second floor once they were able to make it up to that level. The resident eventually showed up at the command post and it was confirmed that everyone was out of the building.
During the height of the fire, Rescue one was released from a training class that was in session at the Mcknight and Spring Station, which half of the on-duty platoon was attending. Apparatus that responded on the box alarm were: Engine 13, 3, 11, 14 safety, Tower 1, Ladder 3, Medic 603 and Car 1.
Command reported the bulk of the fire knocked down after about 15 minutes and put the incident under control with heavy overhaul at 11:36. Units remained on the scene for another 90 minutes. The fire marshal's office was notified and Car 23 responded. It was reported that the fire caused in excess of $30,000.00 damage. The Red Cross was called to the scene to assist 2 residents. Thanks to?Firefighter T. Leszczynski and Firefighter/Paramedics B. Mack and G. Knauer for sending us these pictures.
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