A family was displaced by a fire Monday that caused extensive damage to their Hampden Heights home.
Crews were dispatched shortly before 3 p.m. to the 1600 block of Palm Street after one of the residents placed a 911 call, said Lt. Trent Zulick of the Reading fire marshal’s office.
The first crew reported heavy flames coming from the rear of a 2 1/2-story home. The fire had extended up into the second and third floors.
Firefighters cut holes in the roof to manage heavy fire and smoke on the second floor.
A second alarm was struck to call in additional personnel to help open up walls and gain access to the upper floors during a search for additional fire.
The fire was under control within 40 minutes, with some crews remaining to search for and put out hot spots.
Zulick said the fire started on the first floor, and it was deemed accidental.
The first floor was extensively damaged, with smoke and water damage throughout, he said. A damage estimate was unavailable.
A total of eight people — five adults and three children — won’t be able to return to the home until repairs are made, the fire lieutenant said.
The family is being assisted with emergency needs by the American Red Cross and relatives, Zulick said.