Update: Officials have announced that the third victim, identified by police as 74-yea-old Phyllis L Lauck, was pronounced dead in the early hours of Saturday, May 3, 2025. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Original post: A house fire early Monday morning in Robeson Township claimed the lives of two individuals and left several firefighters injured.
At approximately 6:30 a.m. on April 28, 2025, emergency crews were dispatched to the 700 block of White Bear Road for a reported house fire with possible entrapment. Upon arrival, the Geigertown Fire Chief confirmed a working house fire. Responders were able to remove three victims from the residence, who were transported to Reading Hospital by EMS. Two of those victims were later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Three firefighters were also injured during the response. They were transported to Reading Hospital, with two later transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital for additional care. A number of other firefighters received treatment at the scene for unspecified injuries. Officials said that the firefighters who were hospitalized are expected to be released soon.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Robeson Township Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office. Authorities noted that the area of focus is currently the exterior of the home.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including fire companies from Gibraltar, Geigertown, Monocacy, Mount Penn, Lower Alsace, Brecknock, Earl Township, Shillington, and Brownstown. Fire departments from Twin Valley, Exeter Township, Birdsboro-Union, Cumru Township, and West Reading, along with Boyertown Fire Rescue, also assisted. EMS support was provided by Tower Direct, Penn State Life Lion, and the City of Reading Fire Department EMS. Caernarvon Township Police also responded to the incident.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing.
