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A two-alarm house fire in Bechtelsville, Berks County, caused more than $200,000 in damage early Wednesday (March 4) — and investigators say no working smoke detectors were present in the home when the blaze broke out.
According to the Reading Eagle, an occupant called 911 at 4:48 a.m. to report the second floor was on fire at a home on the 1800 block of North Main Street. Firefighters from the Eastern Berks Fire Department arrived to find heavy smoke and popping noises coming from inside the structure.
The fire started on a desk in a rear second-floor bedroom, where combustible materials had been left too close to a space heater. The flames spread into the wall and roof before crews could contain them. A second alarm was called to bring in additional manpower from Montgomery County, and the fire was brought under control within about an hour.
The homeowner was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest near Allentown for smoke inhalation. Two firefighters suffered minor burns while battling the blaze and were treated at the scene. As reported by WFMZ-TV, both firefighters were treated and released.
Investigators said the occupants were awakened by the fire itself and managed to escape on their own. One occupant attempted to extinguish the flames using a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Corey Heimbach of the Troop L fire marshal unit said the fire has been ruled accidental.
The Bechtelsville fire is one of two Berks County fires this week in which working smoke detectors were absent. A separate, deadly blaze in Robeson Township claimed the lives of a father and daughter early Wednesday (March 4). Investigators determined that home also lacked working smoke detectors. Firefighters are urging all residents to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke detectors and to keep combustible materials clear of heat sources.