A combination of humidity and sun angle prompted a well-intentioned report of smoke coming from a building on Paper Mill Road in northern Spring Township early Sunday morning June 29. The passerby observed what appeared to be a column of smoke rising from the back or the top of a healthcare facility, which promoted a full structure fire assignment to be dispatched. Accordingly, TSFR Engine 85, Wyomissing Ladder 79, Reading FD Engine 3, Kenhorst Engine 69-1, Western Berks FD Ladder 18, and Western Berks EMS Medic 6511 responded.
L79 and E85 arrived and after investigating and meeting with facility staff, quickly determined that the report was a result of steam from the air conditioning cooling towers at the facility and no fire was present. Given the observed conditions however, this is what we call a "good intent" call, and we would rather that it be reported and not be a true fire, than have it not reported and turn out to be the real thing.
