The cause of a fire that destroyed a Centre Township home and briefly trapped the homeowner in her bedroom remains undetermined, a state police fire marshal said.
No one was injured in the fire, which was discovered in the multi-story home at 240 Grove Road, just outside the village of Daubersville, shortly before 3 a.m. Monday by the homeowner, said Trooper Corey Heimbach of the state police Troop L fire marshal unit.
Heimbach provided the following account:
The homeowner called 911 to report she and her dog were trapped in her second-floor bedroom.
Central Berks Fire Company of Centreport and surrounding companies were dispatched.
A volunteer firefighter with Shoemakersville Fire Company who got on scene before the arrival of any apparatus used a ground ladder on the property to rescue the woman and her dog from a rear second-floor balcony.
The fire, which started on the front porch, advanced quickly before additional firefighters arrived due to wind gusts, engulfing the first floor and the entire front of the home.
Firefighters needed more than an hour to control the flame, drawing water from a pond on the property.
A home on Grove Road in Centre Township is in ruins after crews put out the blaze during the early morning hours Tuesday. (Courtesy of David J Reimer Sr.Emergency Services Photography)
Firefighters were hindered by the fire-weakened floors and stairs. After the flames were knocked down, a firefighter who was searching for hot spots fell through the first floor into the basement but was uninjured and escaped on his own.
Damages were estimated at more than $350,000. The Red Cross is assisting the homeowner with emergency shelter and other needs.
The cause of the fire is undetermined, but no criminal activity is suspected, Heimbach said.
Source: Berkshire mont