June 16, 2005
The Fire Department announced today that
a suspect has been arrested for setting the fire that destroyed
the South Reading Market. A 45 year old man confessed to
lighting debris in a corner of the market and then lit
a window shade before leaving the building.
The suspect is described as a employee of
the owner who was helping to clean up the building to get
it ready for an auction to occur at the end of May. Fire
Officials also said that the man also confessed to setting
a fire at another building of the owner's that occurred
about an hour prior to the time the fire at the market
was dispatched. This same suspect was arrested for starting
several brush fires early in 1998. He was acquitted in
that case.
June 8, 2005
Demolition of the site began today after a large section of a wall collapses earlier in the week. The City had hopes of retaining part of the structure but declared the site a danger area and used emergency funds to tear it down.
May 25, 2005
New Pictures of the aftermath are in the Gallery. Thanks
to Medic N. Knauer and FF B. Sayers for submitting them.
May 18, 2005
The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing,
investigators have labeled the fire suspicious and are
gathering evidence. The site of the fire has become
a concern to neighbors who want it cleared as soon as possible.
Firefighters have returned to the scene several times to
douse flare ups and other suspicious fires. It was reported
that many new items are being deposited into the rubble,
including old tires, furniture and bags of trash.
May 14, 2005
D Platoon
Some fire units were still on location at the
scene of a previous Box Alarm when reports of another fire
began coming into 911 about 19:30. The dispatcher reported
receiving multiple calls after sending out Box 162, stating
the callers were reporting a fire in a large building in
the 500 Blk. of Pearl Street. Engines 5, 3, 1, 14 safety,
Sn. 1, Lad. 1, Res. 1, Medic 603 and Cars 4 and 9 responded
on the Box. Snorkel 1 arrived on location at So. 6th and
Bingaman Sts. and confirmed a
fire in the old market building. Other apparatus responding
to the original address of the Box at So. 5th and Willow
were redirected.
Unit 21 reported that they had heavy fire in
a large 2 story vacant and that a crew was trying to find
an entry point. The fire soon began to expose itself from
several vantage points. Cars 4 and 9 arrived on location
soon after and began setting up the apparatus for defensive
operations. Snorkel 1 and Ladder 1 set-up for aerial operations
while numerous deck guns and handlines were arranged on all
sides of the building. Car 4 called radio and ordered the
2nd and 3rd Alarms to be set up, he then called the 2nd Alarm
to be struck. Engines 13, 9 and Ladder 3 responded on the
2nd Alarm
Ladder 3 was ordered to the corner of So. 6th
and Bingaman to set up for ladder pipe operations and the
other apparatus were either arranged for water supply or
manpower. Once the 2nd Alarm apparatus were situated,
Car 4 called for the 3rd Alarm. Many of the 3rd Alarm apparatus
responded as units were placed into service by recalled personnel,
Engine 11 was due on the 3rd alarm and responded at 19:43.
By now, the fire totally
consumed the 23,000 sq ft. building and it began to fail.
The roof was the first to collapse into the 2nd floor. Several
sections of the 130 year old landmark began to lean and crumble.
Of concern to the crews safety was a large overhang that
extended out to the curb and wrapped around the buildings
on the 6th and Bingaman St sides. The rear of the structure
runs down a small alley with homes on the other side. The
radiant heat and the large amount of fire leaping from the
market threatened several residences on multiple sides.
Large brands were sent
into the air which brought out the first of the mutual
aid Companys from surrounding municipalities. Company 64
from West Reading was sent to check out a possible fire from
flying embers. Other Companys that were called out to assist
were 69 and 70, Mt. Penn was dispatched to an incident
in the 1100 Blk. of Cotton.
Car 1 had responded on the 2nd Alarm and took
Command of the incident. Numerous electric lines in the area
were burned and the service to the section was shut off.
The Mayor and Managing Director were notified per protocol
and the Building Inspector was called to the scene. At 20:46
Command gave a progress report. The heavy fire was blackened
down but master streams were still in service. There was
severe collapse to a large portion of the building and there
was no longer a threat to any exposures.
At 21:49 Command put the fire under control
but acknowledged that many of the units would be on location
into the night dousing hot spots. All of the master streams
were shut down in an effort to find the larger concentrations
of fire so the appliances could be redirected. Many units
began wrapping up and by 22:30 most of the 2nd and 3rd Alarm
apparatus had gone available. All of the City's units were
on the scene at one point of the fire, Engine 2 was released
to cover the rest of the City with Car 8.
Snorkel 1 and 3 Engines were kept on location
over night, they continued to flow water on the smoldering
rubble until about 04:00. A local demolition company was
called to the scene and their crews began setting up at 07:30.
FM 10 responded from the previous incident when the initial
reports were given. The State Police Fire Marshal was also
called to assist in the investigation. Early reports indicated
the fire was suspicious but the Fire Marshal later expressed
that a cause has not yet been determined.
There were no reports
of injuries and no damage reports were relayed. The market
was a total loss and although Red Cross was called by several
of the neighboring residents, there were no reports of
anyone needing assistance from the agency. All residents
were allowed to return to their homes after the electric
was restored.
The South Reading Market was built in 1870
by Francis Shalter, a then owner-editor of the Reading
Times,
and operated as a farmers market up until the 1960s. The
building housed an import business and later operated as
a bingo hall until the 1980s when a company renovated
the building and began manufacturing shades in it the owner
of that business said that the building has been vacant since
2004. According to an article in the Saturday May 14 Reading
Eagle,
the building was to be auctioned off at a sale later in
May.
Thanks to all those
who contributed to this story.
