3 Alarm Fire Tears Through Kenhorst House

Photo by Rainman14Fire shot through the roof as command requested the 3rd alarm to the scene.

Photo by Rainman14Crews operated for several hours as fire ripped through the top floor of a home in Kenhorst.

Photo by Rainman14Heavy smoke poured out of the windows of the house.

Photo by Rainman14The manpower pool was established behind Wyomissing Ladder 79
At 00:58 Hours Kenhorst Fire Company and mutual aid was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 1432 Lancaster Ave in Kenhorst Borough. Responding companies we’re advised of smoke coming from the attic. Tower Direct EMS arrived first and confirmed a working with smoke showing from side A. With a working fire declared RIT was added to the assignment. Upon arrival of West Reading Ladder 64 they stretched a line into the house and began setting up the aerial to the roof. Shillington Engine 36 supplied Ladder 64 from the hydrant. As fire conditions began to evolve rapidly with fire shooting through the roof on the Charlie side a second alarm was requested. A second line was stretched to the rear of the structure. A second MICU was requested to the scene as EMS began treating one firefighter for minor injuries. Reading Engine 5 arrived on the second alarm and stretched a 2nd line through the front door of the house. Firefighters working in no visibility and high heat conditions on the second floor to confirm that there was fire in the walls. As other second alarm companies began arriving additional crews were sent upstairs with hooks to assist with opening up. As more of the manpower pool got sent to work inside the house an additional RIT team was requested to the scene. As a team on the roof made several vent holes, interior crews worked on opening up the ceiling. Not long after the vent holes were created fire began blowing out of them. With heavy fire in the attic Chief 69 Requested a 3rd alarm for manpower. Once the ceiling was pulled down crews were able to knock down a bulk of the fire. Firefighters continued to work on overhaul and checking for extension for nearly hour until the fire was placed under control at 03:15 hours. The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal was requested to the scene for the investigation. Units began clearing the scene around 04:00 hours. Final units cleared the scene just after 05:00 hours.