Exeter Township firefighters, including one already honored for a valiant rescue attempt in a fatal fire last year, rescued a disabled man from the window of his burning home Thursday afternoon.
The fire was discovered about 4:45 p.m. on the wood porch of the manufactured home in the 1100 block of Claire Drive, said Exeter police Sgt. David Bentz, who also serves as the fire marshal.
Two generations of the family, all adults, lived in the home, Bentz said.
As smoke filled the home, everyone got out except one, a 60-year-old man, who is a double-amputee, he said.
Exeter Township Fire Company Deputy Chief Brian Rhein found the man at the window on one side of the house. Although the window was at ground level, he was unable to remove the victim without help, so he handed his self-contained breathing apparatus to the man.
“The guy can’t get out so Rhein hands him his SCBA mask and allows him to breath his air,” Bentz said.
Crews removed the victim, who was taken to Reading Hospital for smoke inhalation. Bentz didn’t have an update on the man’s condition.
Rhein also suffered smoke inhalation. He was evaluated at the hospital and released, Bentz said.
Rhein was one of five first responders honored in May 2025 for his heroic actions during the April 28, 2025, fire on White Bear Road in Robeson Township. He along with firefighters from a neighboring department entered the burning home without their breathing appratus, pulling out two of the victims, who later died.
Multiple tankers, ladder trucks, rescue engines and medics responded to the scene.
Firefighters approaching the scene reported a large column of smoke and heavy flames throughout the rear of the building. A second alarm was struck.
Chris Jordan, Exeter fire chief, said crews were faced with challenging conditions that complicated gaining access to the house.
Crews faced challenging conditions that complicated access to the home on Claire Drive in Exeter, firefighters said. (Courtesy of Chris Jordan)
The fire was placed under control about an hour after crews arrived.
Bob Jordan, fire chief Emeritus, said the crews quickly arrived at the scene from a previous mulch fire at a nearby Redner’s grocery store.
“It was very heroic what the guys did (during the search and rescue),” Bob Jordan said. “The guys at Exeter go above and beyond. As an ex-fire chief, I’m very proud of them.”
The roof was on fire from end to end so the home will likely be declared a total loss, Bentz said.
The fire marshal said it accidentally started on the deck. One of the residents told fire officials that they had started a charcoal fire in a chimenea or similar type of pot. He put the hot coal in a barbeque grill, but left the emptied pot on the deck. Heat from the pot apparently ignited the deck boards.
A house fire on Claire Drive in Exeter prompted a large response from the Exeter Township Fire Department. (Courtesy of Chris Jordan)