Reading PA Fire Department

Around 2am, after 2 hours of thunderstorms passed through the area, Communications received a cell phone call for a reported house on fire in the 1000 Block of Clover Street. Box 521 put E2(E9)-E11-E1-L3-R1-M603-Car 9 and E13 Safety on the street. E2 arrived quickly in the block and asked for additional information with Car 9 asking to call the cell phone back. Communications stated it would now be the 1000 Block of Culvert Street on the other side of town, a street known for fires in the past.

Box 212 was tapped out soon after, E13-E5-E1-T1-L1-R1-M603-Car 9 and E3 Safety responded and Communications got an additional call from 1055 Culvert reporting a basement fire with everyone out of the building. E13 arrived in the block and reported smoke showing from a 2 story end of row. An 1 3/4 line was stretched to the basement and the fire was controlled within minutes. Luckily during response to the correct address, a water pipe left loose in the basement from the heat and kept the fire at bay in the small 2 story framed building. The building was mechanically ventilated and crews cleared within the hour.

The FM will be investigating but it was believed the fire started in combustibles near the hot water heater. The Red Cross was called to assist the elderly couple living in the residence.

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