Wedensday got off to an early start that would see Mt. Penn run a total of 7 calls in the 13 hours between 5a.m. and 6p.m.
We assisted Amity, along with several other companies for a reported structure fire at Precision Technologies on Old Swede Rd. shortly after 5a.m. It was found to be a fire involving roof material where an exhaust stack met the roofline. Extensive saw work was needed to open the roof to ensure the fire was out. Units cleared just before 7a.m.
Just after 10 we went to the 200 block of Friedensburg Rd. in the boro for a carbon monoxide alarm. This was found to be a faulty alarm and units quickly cleared.
About 3:15p.m. the fun started with a report of a tree on wires in the 2400 block of Woodvale Ave. Nothing to see here folks, a tree branch fell on the wires but caused no issues. Just after 4p.m. we went to assist Laureldale with a possible structure fire on Kutztown Rd. at a funeral home. Nothing was found and everything was recalled by command before they arrived.
Things kept going at 5p.m. with a carbon monoxide alarm at Antietam Arms Apartments. It was stated the alarm went off when the heat was turned on. As earlier, nothing was found and it was determined to be a faulty alarm. As Rescue 1 was returning they came across a chimney that was pushing black smoke in the 200 block of Butter Lane in Lower Alsace Twp. Crews made entry and were able to secure the furnace. No other issues were found and the owner was going to contact his service company.
The day was wrapped up about 5:50p.m. with another possible structure fire in the 200 block of Spies Church Rd. in Alsace Township. On arrival of units this didn’t look good at all with heavy black smoke filling the house and pushing out the front door. On entry crews reported smoke to the floor level. After a search it was discovered that the cause was a runaway furnace which pushed all the smoke through the ductwork causing extensive smoke damage to the interior. The duct registers were showing temperatures over 190 degrees! Crews secured the heating system and performed extensive ventilation, finally clearing just before 7p.m.
A common factor in several of these calls was the cooler temperatures with the heating system being turned on for the first time. It is VERY IMPORTANT to have your heating system, whether oil, gas or electric, serviced annually by a qualified company in order to prevent serious problems. If you have a fireplace or wood stove it too needs to be checked and cleaned every year. Also make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, the difference could be life or death!
