A three-alarm fire ripped through a Reading rowhome early Sunday, sending a family of four to the hospital and displacing at least 20 people.
According to Reading Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss, fire crews were called to the 600 block of North Ninth Street about 3:20 a.m. after several 911 calls were made from neighbors in the area.
Firefighters discovered a rowhome at 651 N. Ninth St. with heavy fire on the first floor spewing out of the building’s windows. The flames were spreading quickly to adjacent buildings.
Firefighters entered the building, went up an open stairwell and rescued a juvenile from the second floor. Another juvenile escaped the blaze by jumping from a second-floor window, Searfoss said Monday.
A mother and a third child escaped the burning building on their own.
Members of the Reading fire marshal’s office investigate the cause of a three-alarm fire early Sunday that started in a home at 651 N. Ninth St. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
All four were taken to Reading Hospital, Searfoss said, and one of the juveniles remained hospitalized Monday morning.
A second alarm was called about 15 minutes after firefighters arrived, Searfoss said, and a third alarm was called around 4:10 a.m. Firefighters battled the blaze until about 5 a.m.
Firefighters were called back to the scene around 11 a.m. Sunday when the blaze rekindled and was smoldering.
The flames damaged homes at 649, 651, 653 and 655 N. Ninth. A total of at least 20 people were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross of Berks County, Searfoss said.
Searfoss said two firefighters suffered minor injuries while fighting the fire, including one who was hurt while rescuing the juvenile on the second floor.
He said firefighters showed amazing bravery, entering the building to search for trapped people even before water had begun to be sprayed on the blaze.
“We had members searching in front of hose line, which is extremely dangerous,” Searfoss said. “It paid dividends, it resulted in saving lives and property.”
Searfoss said a cause and damage estimate for the fire have not been determined. The fire remains under investigation.