Reading PA Fire Department

Box 18 was dispatched just after 1700hrs this evening for a reported working fire at 617 Bingaman Street, a narrow two story middle of the row. Car 6 also reported smoke showing during the response. Engine 5 arrived and confirmed a working fire.

An 1 3/4 inch handline was advanced through the front door, firefighters inside encountered fire as soon they entered the kitchen. Another crew went to 2nd floor to search for victims and ventilate the heat and thick smoke that had already filled the structure. An additional crew went around to the rear of the dwelling. Flames shooting out the back of the house had ignited numerous items in the back yard including a fiberglass pick-up truck cap and the main electric feed into the home which was arcing and caught the side fence on fire.

An additional line was taken around the rear to extinguish the burning materials and the electric company was called to secure the downed lines. The first floor crew pushed the fire out the rear and the firefighters began to overhaul.

The flames extensively damaged the rear of the building and much of a one story off the rear needed to be opened up. The area housed the laundry room and was a possible location for the origin of the fire. Investigators don't believe the fire to be suspicious but are continuing to look at the cause. One firefighter was reportedly treated on the scene for an unknown injury. There were no other injuries reported and no word on occupants was available. Units were on the scene for more than 90 minutes.

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