Reading PA Fire Department

February 4, 2002

D Platoon

2nd Alarm

City Fire Dispatcher Anthony F. Miccicke, Dispatcher 28, transmitted Box 45, 11th and Elm Streets, for a reported dwelling fire in the area of Locust and Elm. The 08:32 alarm consisted of Engines 1, 12 and 9, Snorkel 1, Ladder 3, Rescue 1 and Engine 3 for the safety operations.

Heavy smoke was encountered upon the department's arrival. Visible fire was knocked within a short time, but hidden fire baffled firefighters for almost twenty minutes. Thus, Second Deputy Chief Kulp asked First Deputy Chief Kellenberger to ok the use of positive pressure ventilation in order to show where the flames were hiding. This worked all too well as flames blew out in the rear of the structure. A second alarm was then ordered for Engines 5, 11 and Ladder 1. Fire Chief Rehr arrived on the scene and found the men assigned to safety operations were working in an exposure. He immediately ordered them out of the building to resume the detail they were originally assigned to.

It took less than an hour to bring the $50,000 fire at 1127 Elm Street under control. By noon, the apparatus were released from the scene.

---

Add this article to: