Fire crews from across Berks County spent nearly 2½ hours Tuesday afternoon battling a multialarm blaze that tore through a brick mansion in Pennside.
The fire at 500 Carsonia Ave., one of the original homes in the Lower Alsace Township enclave that emerged as one of Reading’s earliest suburbs, was discovered just before 3 p.m. by neighbors, Lower Alsace Fire Company Chief Robert Mountz said Wednesday.
Mountz said he arrived about three minutes after the initial call and found flames shooting from windows at the right rear corner of the home. Based on 911 dispatch information, he and responding Central Berks Regional police officers initially feared the couple who live there might be trapped inside.
A fire official said a three-alarm blaze Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 at 500 Carsonia Ave., Pennside, is believed to have originated in a second-floor former bedroom that had been converted into a sitting room. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Just as they were about to enter through the front door, a neighbor came from the backyard and told them the female resident was safe. Neighbors had helped her escape the smoke-filled home before emergency crews arrived. Her husband had left the house a short time earlier.
The woman was taken by ambulance to Reading Hospital for evaluation and returned to the scene before the final fire crews cleared.
Mountz said the fire is believed to have originated in a second-floor former bedroom that had been converted into a sitting room, but the cause remains under investigation. A state police fire marshal returned to the scene Wednesday to continue the probe.
The chief said he requested a second alarm immediately upon seeing flames extending to the third floor, and a third alarm a half-hour later as initial crews became exhausted.
“I don’t know how long it was burning before neighbors called,” Mountz said, noting nearby residents likely didn’t notice anything until flames began shooting out the back.
The five-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot home was built over a century ago, and its architectural features posed challenges for firefighters. Its interior plaster-over-lath and steel-mesh wall construction made extinguishing the blaze extremely labor-intensive. Firefighters had to pry open walls to reach hidden fire and cut ventilation holes in the roof and windows to release heat.
Mountz said crews worked carefully to preserve as much of the home’s character as possible.
“We tried to do as little damage as possible because we know the historical significance to the township,” he said, noting the leaded stained-glass windows appeared to be original.
The fire was finally declared under control at 5:20 p.m.
The American Red Cross is assisting the couple with temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Berks County property records list the owners as Steven and Bonnie Ott.
A damage estimate was yet to be determined, but Mountz said he expects the loss, including contents, to exceed $750,000.