Crews battle electrical fire at home in Cumru Township

Fire crews contained an electrical fire at a home in Cumru Township Monday afternoon.

Initial reports about 3:20 p.m. reported flames in the basement of a two-story home in the 100 block of Gerald Avenue.

Residents of the home were advised to evacuate.

Crews at the scene reported smoke coming from the side of the building and fire in the wall by an electrical meter.

Firefighters at the scene said a broken pipe interfering with an electrical panel in the basement may have started the fire.

Initially, crews said a water leak in the basement appeared to be helping to hold the fire at bay, but the flames spread.

PP&L was contacted but was unable to do a remote disconnect of power which complicated operations in the basement, where flames continued to spark.

Crews contained the flames with extinguishers until PP&L arrived and disconnected the meter about 4:10 p.m.

The fire in the basement was reportedly knocked down shortly after, with crews working on containing the remnants that spread within the walls.

The fire was reported under control about 4:35 p.m.