Approximately 50 residents were displaced Thursday night after a fire heavily damaged an apartment building at the Oak Forest Apartment Complex in Muhlenberg Township.
Muhlenberg Township Fire & Rescue was dispatched at approximately 6:50 p.m. on June 11 to a reported structure fire at the apartment complex, located at 2271 Hampden Boulevard.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant fire involving Buildings G and H. As crews arrived, firefighters worked to clear residents from the structures while battling heavy fire conditions. A two-alarm response was subsequently declared, bringing additional fire and emergency resources to the scene.
Firefighters responded Thursday evening to a large apartment building fire at Oak Forest Apartments in Muhlenberg Township. The fire was reported shortly before 9 p.m. at Building G, located at 2271 Hampden Blvd. Initial reports indicated black smoke coming from an apartment. No information on injuries or the cause of the fire was immediately available.
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Approximately 75 firefighters from 12 fire companies responded to the incident, including Muhlenberg Township Fire & Rescue, the Reading Fire Department, Central Fire Company, and mutual aid companies from Wyomissing, Western Berks, and Mount Penn. Additional support resources, including Souderton Canteen units, were also requested.
Fire suppression operations continued throughout the night, with emergency personnel remaining on scene until approximately 2 a.m. Friday.
Authorities said all residents were able to evacuate safely and no injuries were reported among residents or emergency responders.
A total of 20 apartment units in Buildings G and H were affected by the fire. Both buildings sustained significant damage, and assistance for displaced residents is being coordinated. The American Red Cross is assisting those impacted by the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office.