Shortly before 9a.m. on March 17, Mt. Penn was dispatched with several other companies to assist Birdsboro (Co7) with a reported structure fire in the 100 block of S. Mill St. Berks County Communications gave additional information to Chief 7 (Kulp) that the police were reporting a large amount of smoke from that area as well and he arrived to a working fire at 120 and 122 S. Mill St. While Rescue 1 was still responding as the RIT they were advised to send their manpower to the front for fire suppression. A second alarm with additional RIT was then requested by command. Crews stretched several lines to the fire which seemed to be concentrated in the 2nd floor and attic areas at the rear of both residences. Several vent holes were cut in the roof which quickly showed fire after being opened. This older construction home proved a bit frustrating as crews knocked the main body of fire down and were checking for extension in walls and along eaves as it seemed that almost every opening they made had fire in it. Within the hour crews had all visible fire extinguished although they remained on scene for another 2 hours performing extensive overhaul operations. Mt. Penn units were able to clear by 11:30a.m. The exact cause of this fire remains under investigation.
