A two-alarm fire in Reading, Pennsylvania, displaced eleven people and damaged a neighboring home on Saturday (May 3). The blaze occurred in a mixed-use building on the 200 block of South Ninth Street, with flames reported at 5:16 p.m. According to WFMZ, the fire spread quickly, leading to a second alarm being dispatched for additional manpower.
The building housed a business on the first floor and residential units above. The fire's intensity caused the second-story wall to collapse inward, as reported by Berks Weekly. Two individuals, including a firefighter, were hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident. The fire also spread to an adjacent building, displacing four more residents.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the Red Cross is assisting the displaced individuals. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities. The incident highlights the need for ongoing fire safety measures and support for those affected by such emergencies.
