Reading PA Fire Department

Fire Prevention Lt. Kent Born spotted a plume of smoke in the area of the former Reading Railroad Yards. Upon driving several blocks, the Lt noticed the smoke was not dissipating. He proceeded to 6th and Amity streets to an entrance to the yards and found the source. He immediately requested the box for smoke from a building.  

 Box 57 was struck at 1454 hrs alerting Engines 11, 9, 3 Ladder 3, Rescue, M602 and Engine 1 as the safety company. Once access was gained by unit 23 smoke was found to be issuing from a large building in the northern section of the yard. Yard personnel reported the building to have been sectioned off for garage storage of dump trucks of a local trucking company. Engine 11 stretched into the building along with Engine 9. Crews found flames shooting high into the air as the ceiling of the building was approximately 50' high. The source of the fire was a large dump truck parked about 75' into the building. Ladder 3 was placed into service to find openings for ventilation, as smoke had found it's way into adjoining garages. Car 2 placed the fire under control at 1529 hrs.

---

Add this article to: