Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the cause of a two-alarm house fire in Wyomissing Borough that caused more than $400,000 in damage and killed three pets Saturday night.
The fire was reported around 11:46 p.m. Aug. 8 at 9 Edgedale Court. According to state police, the Berks County 911 Center dispatched the Wyomissing Fire Department along with mutual aid departments from Berks County and the City of Reading after a neighbor reported a house on fire and spreading.
Firefighters arrived to find a well-advanced fire at the rear of the home. A second alarm was requested due to the conditions encountered upon arrival.
Crews entered the home to attack the fire and search for occupants but were forced to retreat because of the intensity of the flames, according to state police. Firefighters then deployed handlines outside the structure and began gaining control of the fire, which had already spread to the second floor and into void spaces in the walls and roof.
Conditions improved within about five minutes, allowing firefighters to re-enter the home and continue battling the fire. The blaze was brought under control within an hour.
Fire crews remained at the scene for approximately three hours conducting overhaul operations and extinguishing hot spots.
The Pennsylvania State Police Troop L Fire Marshal Unit is investigating the fire. Investigators determined that the blaze originated in a room at the rear of the first floor.
The cause remained undetermined as of the state police report, but the fire marshal determined that no criminal activity was involved.
A dog and two cats died in the fire. No firefighters were injured.
State police said the home was considered a total loss, with damage estimated at more than $400,000.
