Reading PA Fire Department

Around 23:45, Engine 3 and Ladder 1 were dispatched to the 100 Shiller Street for a reported smoke condition. A caller reported a suspected oil burner malfunction. Units arrived and reported smoke in the area and began checking for the cause. They found the chimney at 123 Shiller pushing black smoke and knocked on the door to alert the occupants. A male came to the door and told the crews to leave and that he had everything under control. Despite firefighters plea to allow them access to check the heater the male would not let them in and became belligerent. They notified Car 3 of the condition.

Car 3, working at the scene of another incident in the 1400 blk. of Cotton Street in which a breaker panel overheated, responded to Shiller Street and ordered dispatch to send police to the scene. Police arrived with Car 3 and directed the resident to step outside so firefighters could check the heater. The residence was packed with smoke that pushed from a vent in the floor.

Firefighters went down into the basement and found an aged oil burner with fire freely burning in the fire box. They used a Dry Chemical extinguisher to control the fire and after several attempts finally blackened down the fire. The controls for the burner were disabled and the unit was tagged for inspection by the City code officer.

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