A series of severe thunderstorms rumbled through the area early Thursday morning, resulting in a lightning strike on a residence on Tennyson Avenue in the Cornwall Terrace section of the Township. A structure fire assignment was dispatched consisting of TSFRS Rescue Engine 85, Shillington Engine 36, Western Berks Engine 18-1 and Ladder 18, Cumru Twp Engine 42, Wyomissing Ladder 79, Mt. Penn Station 1 for RIT, and Western Berks EMS. Fire was reported to be in the attic after the strike.
E85 arrived promptly and laid 700' of 5" supply hose from a hydrant at Shakespeare and Tennyson to the front of the dwelling where they observed smoke showing from the roof. On further size up fire was found issuing from a gable vent on the side. As the crew advanced a hose line into the building, L79s crew placed several ground ladders and removed the gable vent grill to allow ventilation. E36 picked up the supply line and completed the water supply. The fire was knocked down in short order. L18 members controlled the utilities and performed salvage in concert with L79 by covering furniture on the floor below to protect it from water runoff. E42 personnel also established positive pressure ventilation to completely remove smoke from the residence.
With firefighting operations concluded, the assignment was scaled back and the investigation initiated by the Twp Fire Marshal Office. The welfare of the occupants was ensured, and units were returned as equipment and personnel were secured.
