READING, Pa. – A quiet block was filled with fire trucks, flashing lights and crews on rooftops Monday afternoon.
It happened in the 1600 block of Palm Street, right across from Albright College.
Reading firefighters were called to a house fire around 2:50 p.m.
“When the units first arrived, they had heavy smoke and fire coming through the roof,” said Chief Robert Leonard II, Reading Fire Department.
A second alarm was then called.
“A second alarm was called for safety precautions, to assist,” Leonard said. “We had outside jurisdictions come assist us today.”
Neighbors watched as firefighters moved quickly, working from ladders and inside the home.
“It looks like there was tremendous response from all over, just judging from the names on the fire trucks,” said neighbor Richard Androne.
The chief said the people inside made it out safely.
“The homeowner was home at the time of the incident and was able to call 911,” Leonard said.
No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters.
“Not good. I mean, to lose what they’re losing in a nice house like this, it’s pretty bad,” said neighbor Mark Weaver.
Neighbors said the block is known for its historic homes, making the damage even harder to see.
“If you walk down the block, there’s certain features, like that gable, for example, that are repeated,” Androne said. “And it’s just a tragedy that one of these eight houses, at least on the inside, has been destroyed.”