Possible Structure Fire on Hillvale Ave |
| By Public Information Officer Rick Schartel | |
| August 9, 2026 | |
| TSFRS was alerted for a possible structure fire on Hillvale Avenue in the Midvale Manor neighborhood of Spring Township on Sunday night August 9. Joining the assignment was Shillington Engine 36, Western Berks FD Engine 18-1 and Ladder 18, Cumru Engine 42, Wyomissing Ladder 79, Western Berks Medic 6512 and Mount Penn Station 1 for RIT. As the Engine and Chief responded, Berks Communications reported one call from the owner reporting an odor of something burning in the basement that smelled like plastic with smoke from one of the beams but no visible fire, and that the occupants were evacuating E85 arrived at a single dwelling with normal conditions from all sides. E85 obtained its own water supply and began investigating while Chief 85 established Hillvale Avenue Command. Crews from E85, L18 and L79 observed an odor and haze in the basement and first floor. Command requested E18-1 to stage at the secondary water supply and crews from E36 and RE42 to report to E85. The personnel then isolated the source to a scorched electrical outlet on the first floor. Members opened up around the outlet, secured power to the circuit and confirmed that no extension of fire had occurred. Command placed the incident under control and released all companies with the exception of E85, L79, and L18. Mechanical ventilation and atmospheric monitoring were initiated after which companies were returned. |
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| Units: | E85, C85, Fire Police |
| Mutual Aid: | E36, E18-1, RE42, L18, L79, Sta 1 RIT, M6512 |