The first-arriving crew reported heavy fire along a row of storage units. Firefighters forced open the units and extinguished the stubborn flames.<\/p>\n
While pulling out material to put out hot spots, firefighters discovered the remains of a person inside one of the units. The Berks County coroner\u2019s office was summoned.<\/p>\n
The fire is under investigation by the city fire marshal\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss said Monday that officials are awaiting the result of the autopsy before commenting on the nature of the fire.<\/p>\n
There was evidence that the victim was residing in the storage unit, he said<\/p>\n
Storage units lack the required safety features of residences and aren\u2019t designed for human occupation, he said.<\/p>\n
Fires at these types of facilities are notoriously hazardous to emergency responders because, unlike most fires, crews have little idea of their contents.<\/p>\n
In one of the neighboring units, fireworks or something similar were shooting out at firefighters. In another, there was a 20-pound propane tank that was a cause for concern.<\/p>\n
Others contained motorcycles and auto parts.<\/p>\n
All of the units sustained at least some smoke damage, Searfoss said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n There are several ways to approach your recruitment efforts; which is the best option for your department?\n <\/p>\n October 26, 2025 10:21 PM<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n The Maryland congresswoman\u2019s FLAME and RESCUE Acts would repay departments for travel costs lost during the NFA\u2019s shutdown under federal spending cuts\n <\/p>\n October 27, 2025 06:45 AM<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n First responders from Southgate and neighboring agencies evacuated residents amid heavy flames at American House\n <\/p>\n October 27, 2025 06:30 AM<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n Following a nationwide search, Bass selected Deputy Chief Jaime Moore to lead a department under scrutiny for its wildfire response\n <\/p>\n October 27, 2025 07:00 AM<\/p>\n \u00a9 2025 the Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.).<\/p>\n
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