From Brett Mack, images from a fire on May 3, 2013 in Reading, PA.

Brett Mack photo

1325 hours / 220 S. 5th St. / Box 03-02 / B Platoon

While Group 1 companies were in Confined Space refresher training, Berks 911 dispatched Engines 3 & 7, Tower 1, Ladder 3, and multiple county companies to 220 S. 5th St. for reported fire and smoke from the 4th floor rear windows. Engine 3 reported a column from visible from the station, and with that, Car 2 called for Group 1 companies to respond from training and held the county units on standby.

Shortly after, at 1333 hours, Car 2 struck the 2nd alarm, bringing in Engines from Mt. Penn & Kenhorst, a Ladder from West Reading, and RIT from Spring Township. Companies found heavy fire conditions on the 4th floor of a large apartment building and stretched a 2 1/2″ handline to knock the main body of fire. Additional lines from the front and rear were stretched to handle extension and mop-up.

Companies operated for 4+ hours with extensive overhaul. The Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.

Brett Mack photo

Brett Mack photo

Brett Mack photo

Brett Mack photo

Brett Mack photo

Click here to see a gallery with more images from this fire.