| An automatic fire alarm turned into the real thing on Sunday morning August 16 at a nursing facility on Windmill Road in the Cornwall Terrace section of the township. Shortly before 8AM a smoke detector alarm was received and dispatched as such, with TSFRS Engine 85, Wyomissing Engine 79 and Western Berks FD Ladder 18 on the call.
However, as units were responding, Berks Communications received an additional call from the facility stating there was fire in the kitchen. Accordingly, the assignment was upgraded to a structure fire which added Shillington Engine 36, Western Berks FD Engine 18-1, Cumru FD Engine 42, Mt. Penn Station 1RIT and Western Berks EMS. Captain 85 verified that the fire was in the main kitchen and not the employee lounge. and that the fire was in a storage room by the main kitchen.
E85 arrived on location and had the next engine to stand by at the hydrant on Windmill Road. The crew met with staff outside who directed them to the main kitchen where they found smoke and burning boxes in a storage closet. As additional members arrived on location they were assigned to work with the staff to address resident status. L79 was assigned to ventilation as E85s crew moved the debris outside and extinguished with the booster line. As smoke did not enter the residential area, occupants were sheltered in place. Normal operations were resumed as ventilation and air monitoring was complete. When all equipment was secured, the assignment was reduced to Chief 85, Deputy 85 and the Fire Marshal’s office. |
