Reading, PA- With the closing of the North Charleston and American La France Fire Museum and Education Center in South Carolina, a Sotheby's auction was held near Miami. Members of the Reading Area Fire Museum were aware that Reading and Berks County's first motorized fire truck was about to be auctioned off. A winning bid was placed; and on March 9th, a flatbed truck brought their famous truck to the Reading Area Fire Museum located in the old Liberty 5 firehouse at S. 5th and Laurel St. When the rig was off loaded, it was backed into its original spot in the Liberties, where it ran out of for many years. At that time, this unit was considered a great advancement in firefighting as the response time was three times quicker then what the horses were. The Liberty No. 5 1911 ALF was known as a Type 5 Chemical and Hose Wagon. It had 23 karat gold leaf decoration, twin nickel plated copper chemical tanks and features a metal Statue of Liberty atop the bell. This unit reflects the unparalleled craftsmanship from that time period.