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Investigators may never know what sparked a three-alarm inferno that killed a woman and gutted part of a city block in Reading.
Four buildings were left ravaged by the fierce flames, and a woman and her two beloved dogs were found dead inside one of the burning buildings.
"She was a beautiful person. She walked her dogs all the time, her little chihuahuas," said Gloria Waller, a good friend of the victim. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it!"
Firefighters were dispatched at 9:19 p.m. Wednesday to 714 Chestnut St.
The first crews on the scene arrived to find flames shooting from all three floors of the row home, in both the front and the rear.
"When we came across the street, we turned to look back and all you saw was flames," said AJ Wilson, who was displaced from neighboring 716 Chestnut.
Officials, seeing the need for additional manpower as the fire spread to two neighboring homes, subsequently struck two additional alarms.
Firefighters mounted a defensive attack on the fire until they were able to bring the flames under control and get inside the building, according to Chief William Stout.
Investigators spent much of Thursday sifting through the rubble. The woman's body was not removed until 1 p.m.
"Structurally, the integrity of the building is very compromised due to the fire damage, so that's been a challenge for us with victim removal because of where she was positioned," said Larry Moyer, Reading's fire marshal.
Moyer said the fire started on the second floor of the victim's home. He ruled it undetermined because the damage was too extensive to pinpoint an exact cause.
As crews worked to shore up the building, residents forced from their homes tried to salvage anything they could.
"I came back for my mom's urn and whatever we could salvage clothing-wise," said Wilson.
"I was out in the back and the second floor of that building is completely gutted," said Don Schafer, who managed 716 Chestnut.
The owner of 716, Nick Blanck, said it looked like a disaster inside. Now, he's trying to find a warm place for his tenants to stay.
"It's the worst news I've heard last year and this year put together," said Blanck. "It's a complete shame the deceased lady passed in the fire."
An autopsy is set for Friday morning, and dental records are needed to confirm her identification said officials.
This is Reading's first fatal fire in 2015, but it's the second in recent weeks.
An elderly couple were killed in a fire at 524 Spruce St. on Dec. 28. Investigators determined that diapers around a radiator sparked the blaze.
Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer has his eyes on a second term.
Spencer announced his re-election campaign during an event tonight in Reading.
He'll have some competition in the Democratic primary in May.
Retired District Judge Wally Scott has already announced plans to enter the race.
Spencer says he has dedicated his time in office to making Reading's neighborhoods safer., and to bringing more jobs to the city.
"You know it's one thing to say you're going to do something, and it's another thing to actually do those things. And I'll be prepared to defend my record as to what my platform was three years ago, and what we've accomplished so far this year, up to this point," Spencer said.
contact them. >>>jaciel cordoba: Investigators are still on the scene right now trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in Reading that left one woman dead.>>>EVE tannery: The fire jumped to three alarms last night in the 700 block of Chestnut Street. That's where we find WFMZ's Ryan Hughes live with the latest. Ryan? The state police fire marshal tells us the conditions inside are too dangerous to investigate right now. They're going to rebuild a temporary second floor before they can move forward. Take a look.. ad libkilled. >> nats: >> reporter: An explosive three-alarm inferno ripped through three buildings in Reading. The flames so high and so intense firefighters mounted a defensive attack before they could bring it under control. >> aj: "when we came across the street we turned to look back all you saw was flames. i mean you couldn't even see the front of the building.">> reporter: The intense flames fully engulfed 714 Chestnut Street around 9:20 last night and quickly spread to neighboring buildings. After an intense fight...officials tell us a woman's body and her two Chihuahuas were found inside on the 3rd floor.>> jimmy: "she was a good person good lady good person she would always come over and ask us things and ask us if we had certain things she needed.">> reporter: This morning investigators are still on scene....but the damage is just too extensive...too dangerous for them to determine an exact cause. The owner of the building next door is being told his property is a total loss.>> nick: "It's the worst news I've heard last year and this year put together. It's a complete shame the deceased lady passed in the fire and all my tenants lost all their belongings." The owner of the building next door tells us at least 7 people are displaced. They're being put up at his other buildings in the city. We spoke to the coroner's office. they tell us the woman is still inside it's too dangerous to bring her out right now.id. cause still
Alarm fire tore through several row homes on Chestnut street.. Leaving one woman dead... And a neighborhood in mourning. WFMZ's Dwayne Parker is live at the scene on Reading's South side with the latest.. Dwayne.
Dwayne parker: The fire was so ferocious that the 2nd floor had to be reconstructed so authorities could get in there and see what happened. But the questions may hang in the air for every ... The damage destroyed every clue that could have help authorities fire out what sparked this fatal blaze.
Reporter: The blaze ... So intense ... Officials say they will need to rely on dental records to identify the woman who perished in its flame ... Along with her two dogs. Those who knew the victim were left in shock.
Gloria waller: i can't believe that she died in there. Oh my goodness. She was real nice person.
Reporter: The flames weren't satisfied with one building ... They ripped through the neighboring building trying to take more lives along the way. A day later ... 69 News cameras were there as the lucky ones who escaped the flames, returned to save whatever they could from the rubble.
Don schafer: i was the lucky one. Almost everything anybody had in the building is all gone, it's all junk.
Reporter: This fire has touched many across the region, even the mayor who says it's been a tough year for firefighters.
Mayor spencer: You can see that no one wants to see a fatality at a fire. And especially it gets to the point that there's nothing you can do.
Reporter: Many say they will not forget the woman who needlessly lost her life in this unforgiving fire.
Gloria: And now this ...it's just real scary. I mean you see her couple days ago, and you never know when they're going to die.
Dwayne parker: Now even though the fire marshal's office is unable to figure out what sparked this blaze ... The Mayor says he remains vigilant ... And hopeful he may someday know what sparked this blaze. In Reading, Dwayne Parker, 69 News.
The Berks County d.a. says a Reading man who shot two men he saw breaking into his car.. will face charges. >> wendy davis: The man shot at the two would be thieves from his second story window.. wfmz's Jennifer Joas is live at the Berks County Courthouse to explain ... Jenn....>> reporter: The shooter is out on bail tonight....however he is facing felony charges. Meanwhile the two suspected thieves he shot are charged with misdemeanors.>>JOHN adams: "His use of deadly force was not justified." >>reporter: District Attorney John Adams has spent the past several days examing whether Reading man Hector Rodriguez Jr. had the legal justification to shoot two suspected thieves. This stems from an incident early Monday morning where Rodriguez saw two men allegedly breaking into his girlfriend's car in the 1200 block of North 11th Street. In an effort to defend his property, Rodriguez shot both men - one in the ankle, the other in the chest. But...Adams say defending your property is very different than self defense....and because the vehicle was unoccupied, Rodriguez did not have the legal justification to shoot.>>ADAMS: "While i sympathize with Mr. Rodriguez's plate, in so far that none of us want to see our property stolen, his use of force was not justified." >>reporter: Many neighbors we spoke with also sympathize with the shooter.>>BETHANY baez "i don't think it's fair that he's getting charged if he was protecting his property. There's several times that we've had incidents on this block where people had their personal items damaged and no one faced repercussions.">>LEO acuna: "He saw that the two guys were in his car, breaking his window. So what else can you do. If you have an arm, and i believe he has a license to carry a gun, so he has to protect his property." >>reporter: Rodriguez is charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault, along with two misdemeanor counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. While the alleged thieves - Miguel Otero- Maldonado and Ricardo Rodriguez-Luna face misdemeanor and summary offenses.>>The da tell us the Rodriguez fully cooperated with his office and was authorized to carry a gun. So he recommended Rodriguez be released on 10-thousand dollars unsecured bail. Live in Reading, Jennifer Joas, 69 News.
The Boyertown wrestling team (6-0, 12-0) won the first six bouts en route to a convincing 43-11 win at Spring-Ford (5-1, 15-1) Thursday night to take over first place atop the PAC-10.
J.T. Cooley, William Scholl and Brody O'Connell all tallied pins for the Bears, who have once again turned in a dominant season and look primed to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Boone tonight... >>> On the wrestling mat there was a huge pac-10 showdown tonight between Boyertown and
Berks Catholic was one of the only girls basketball teams in the Berks League to not have suffered a league loss coming into Thursday night. That changed with Conrad Weiser's overtime victory in Robesonia.
Behind a team-high 16 points from Chelsea Erkes, the Scouts (4-2, 11-4) shocked Berks Catholic in overtime, 61-58, sending the Saints (5-1, 12-3) to their first league loss of the season.
Hannah Racis scored another 15 points for the Scouts while Kennedy Lutz poured in 12. Tacari Talford also facilitated all night, draining a clutch triple in OT.
Devon Merritt and Courtney Wensel had outstanding games for the Saints once again, with Merritt dropping a game-high 18 points and Wensel 12 points.
But Berks Catholic did not do themselves any favors at the free throw line and allowed 11 three-pointers by the Scouts.
Berks II is still wide open between Berks Catholic, Conrad Weiser and Fleetwood.
---
In Spring Township, Daniel Boone (4-2, 9-7) shut down Wilson (2-4, 5-9) for a 35-27 victory.
Kaitlyn Keeley led the way for Boone with a game-high 18 points.
With Exeter's upset of Governor Mifflin Thursday night, Berks I is also wide open.
Berks III is no different as the girls race to a county title looks to belong to anyone coming down the stretch. Every team in the league has at least one league loss.
>>> rob vaughn:>>> wendy davis: >>> The Berks Catholic girls are on a path to the Berks playoffs, and a nice high seed. They are also on their way to a similar spot in the District 3 tournament. They've been outstanding this season, and they want that to continue. Tonight, they had a tough road test, the Saints were at Conrad Weiser facing the Scouts who have some title aspirations of their own.. scouts trying to create a log jam atop berks ii - late 2nd quarter, game tied at 16 kennedy lutz swings it to chelsea erkesshe hits the 3 team-high 16 points tonight conrad weiser led by 3 at half, 30-27- two and half minutes left in the gamesaints down 5 but rallyingdevon merritt scores in the paint game-high 18 pointsb.c.within 3 - 30 seconds later, saints cut the deficit to onecourtney wensel scores off the reboundpart of her 12 points - b.c.tied the game on free throws shortly after but weiser answershannah racis goes end-to-endbasket and the foulscouts up 2racis had 15 points ...but b.c.tied the game on free throws again in the final minutegame went to ot - in overtime, weiser's tacari talford drills the wing-3gives the scouts a 2-point lead they wouldn't give up conrad weiser knocks off berks catholic in overtime, 61-58that is b.c.'s first loss in league play this season >>> At Wilson, the Bulldog girls hosted Daniel
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It may be winter now, but the organizers of Musikfest and city officials already have their eyes on summer.
To that effect, the City of Bethlehem; Bethlehem Police, Fire and EMS Departments; Northampton County Emergency Management Services along with ArtsQuest are focusing on keeping everyone safe during festivities this summer.
These groups have been meeting over the last several months, to plan on how to increase patron safety at Musikfest fest this year.
Organizers say when guests arrive in August, they'll discover changes designed to have a huge impact on their experience and the overall safety of everyone attending the festival.
Noticeable changes will include repairing sidewalks; adding temporary lighting to improve crowd control; adding video cameras on main street to enhance safety and surveillance; increasing police presence including bicycle, motor cycle and mounted patrol units and the provision of extra event staff support where needed to assist with crowd flow.
Also during the event, Bethlehem police, fire and EMS personnel will meet daily to provide updates on festival operations, logistics and communications, allowing them to make any adjustments in services when and where needed.
City officials said the primary goal with Musikfest and all events held in the city is to ensure the best possible experience for all guests and the provision of a safe environment for guests to explore the historic city.
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Police in Allentown are on the scene of a shooting Thursday night.
Police said one person was shot in the 1,400 block of Fairview Street around 9 pm.
The victim was taken to the hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
Check back for information on this developing story.
A new era started in Allentown a few months ago with the opening of the PPL Center.
The hockey arena brings in thousands of visitors into the downtown on event nights.
But what happens when the team's away?
Owners of establishments downtown say, "business as usual."
On Thursday night, a steady crowd strolled along Hamilton Street, some peeking in shop windows, others heading inside a restaurant for a bite to eat.
One local resident said that's become a familiar sight since the opening of the arena.
"Just walking around tonight with our dog, it's pretty clear people are still around downtown," said Geoff Brace.
Brace called it a nice change, and said he hopes more visitors will frequent his neighborhood.
The Roar Social House hosted a pleasant crowd at its bar, kicking off its first night of Happy Hour.
The restaurant's owner said it will continue those specials Monday through Friday.
While there were still quite a few open tables around six o'clock, the owner said more were expected to show.
"At the present time we have 35-40 reservations for this evening," said Don Saylor.
Most of the eateries downtown had a similar crowd--steady, not packed.
They credited much of their regular night business to the local professional crowd.
But still, visitors are venturing in from outside city limits.
"Even just walking down the main street now, you can tell it's totally different," said Katie Truhe who came in from Emmaus with her family for dinner.
The Hamilton Kitchen and Bar said its business is also solid throughout the week.
Even when the arena is empty, the owner said it still locks in about 120 reservations a night. On weekends, that figure climes to about 400, he said.
"We have a great clientele that comes all week long," said Don Petridis.
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