On August 22 just after 3:30a.m. Mt. Penn was dispatched on the second alarm to 3996 Penn Ave. in Sinking Spring boro to assist Western Berks and their mutual aid companies on a working structure fire with entrapment. The first arriving crews encountered a 3 story building with heavy fire showing from the second floor windows with extension to the adjoining building. Two individuals had already jumped from a 3rd floor window to the sidewalk below to escape the heat and smoke. Unfortunately one was pronounced deceased on the scene while the other was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Mt. Penn crews were split with some assisting on extensive roof operations while others relieved interior crews in extinguishing the fire. Operations all around were difficult due to the age and construction of the buildings with fire extending to the adjoining building with smoke and water damage to a third building. The second alarm companies were released shortly before 6a.m. with the initial companies remaining on scene to perform extensive overhaul and assist in the investigation with Sinking Spring Police and the State Police Fire Marshal.
Courtesy of Western Berks Fire Dept
