Fire administration has ordered apparatus relocated to another station after the gas is turned off for non-payment at a company owned firehouse. Engine 5 and Brush 1 were housed at the historic firehouse at So. 5th and Laurel Streets owned by the Liberty Fire Company, one of the two stations not owned by the city. On Monday September 25, natural gas service to the building was cut by UGI for non-payment. The gas company said that more than $10,000 will be needed to restore the account. Other utilities have been contacting company officials as well in recent months but the status of those are not in question at this time.
The city pays rent to the Liberty and Oakbrook companies to house city owned fire apparatus and firefighters. The buildings are owned and maintained by the fire companies. Company officials have stated that despite increases in rents over the years that they cannot afford to maintain the buildings. In the past, fund drives by the companies have helped to offset costs but with significant drops in membership, raising funds has been difficult. The Liberty's also owns several homes which they rent out to cover costs.
The large 3 story firehouse at 5th and Laurel was build in the late 19th Century by the membership and is on the Historic Register. The Reading Area Fire Fighter's Museum operates out of the building and is trying to raise funds to restore it for a firefighting museum. The Museum Committee has obtained grants and donations for repairs at the firehouse. Work on the windows and roof was needed to stop further deterioration of the structure.
Reportedly, the company officers had been approached by fire administration and the managing director and questioned about the issue but has been told that the city will not cover the deficit. A meeting of fire company members was held Monday night but information on any progress was not revealed. The building also is home for the Reading Scuba Team which is a volunteer entity of the department. It is unknown if or where the equipment of the team will be relocated.
The city has plans to building a new fire station on land within the area of Schlegels Park in the 18th ward, the land for the park was donated by the Schlegel family with the stipulation it be used as public land. A court order in the matter stated that all of the descendants of the Schlegels must be contacted before a final ruling could be made. Officials are in the process of doing that.
Fire administration has ordered apparatus relocated to another station after the gas is turned off for non-payment at a company owned firehouse. Engine 5 and Brush 1 were housed at the historic firehouse at So. 5th and Laurel Streets owned by the Liberty Fire Company, one of the two stations not owned by the city. On Monday September 25, natural gas service to the building was cut by UGI for non-payment. The gas company said that more than $10,000 will be needed to restore the account. Other utilities have been contacting company officials as well in recent months but the status of those are not in question at this time.