The investigation is ongoing into the cause of a fire that killed two members of a Robeson Township family and critically injured a third, but police said Wednesday that no criminal activity is suspected.
Charles L. Lauck, 55, and his father, Charles S., 74, were pronounced dead in Reading Hospital on Monday morning, not long after firefighters removed them from the home in the 700 block of White Bear Road, police said.
The younger Lauck’s mother, Phyllis, wife of Charles S., suffered critical injuries and remained in Reading Hospital, police said.
Information on her medical condition was unavailable.
Robeson Township police Officer Justin M. Schlottman said Wednesday that he’s been in contact with investigators with state police Troop L fire marshal’s unit based in Reading.
While fire marshals haven’t pinpointed a cause of the two-alarm fire, he said, they’re making progress and have isolated the point of origin to the rear exterior of the house.
Also hospitalized were three volunteer firefighters who suffered smoke inhalation during the search and removal of the first victim from the burning home.
Fire officials said the younger Charles Lauck had called 911 shortly before 6:30 a.m. to report the house was on fire and was filling with smoke. Just before further communication from him ended, he told dispatchers that he couldn’t find his elderly parents.
Chief Scott Gullo of Geigertown Fire Company found the younger Lauck near the kitchen area and dragged him out with the help of other firefighters. A Robeson police officer performed CPR on him before paramedics arrived.
All three of the firefighters who were hospitalized are employed full time with the Robeson Township public works department, Schlottman said. They responded with their firefighting gear and made entry, along with Gullo, without the benefit of air tanks, before fire apparatus arrived.
Two of the firefighters are members of Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department. The other is a member of Geigertown Fire Company and also serves with the Exeter department.
Two of the more seriously affected firefighters were transferred from Reading Hospital to the burn unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital for further medical intervention descripted as precautionary.
All three were released Tuesday, Schlottman said.
Crews from Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties responded.
Source: Berkshire mont
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