On Saturday afternoon March 22, an exterior fire at grade level of a 6-story motel in Wyomissing Boro resulted in a situation that required a 2-alarm response to handle. A possible mulch fire caused penetration of a false facade of a vertical column in the rear of the structure. This permitted smoke to penetrate to the interior of the building.

The initial call was for an automatic fire alarm at the occupancy triggered by the smoke. While companies were enroute the assignment was upgraded with a reported of an electrical fire on the 4th or 5th floor. E85 arrived on location and secured its own water on a hydrant on the southeast corner of the building. Command directed E85 to the base of the pillar involved whereupon a booster line was stretched to attack the visible fire. However, the degree of extension was as yet not confirmed.

Accordingly, E85s crew investigated conditions on Floors 2-5 and reported to Command that a medium smoke condition existed on 4 and 5. They also observed and reported that many occupants had not evacuated despite the fire alarm sounding. The crew forced entry into a room on the 2nd floor directly above the fire area to check for extension and found none. E85s booster was stretched up the aerial of RFD Ladder 1 to wet down the interior of the pillar facade from the top.

Command struck a 2nd alarm for additional resources to help with the smoke condition. E85 assisted as needed with ventilation and metering of air quality until the CO level was below 10 PPM. The crew then stood fast until released by Command.