BERKS COUNTY, PA – Firefighters and rescue personnel had their hands full on Friday, June 10. Responders were dispatched around 2:45 PM to the intersection of Kutztown Road and Florin Avenue in Muhlenberg Township for a motor vehicle accident with a car into a house. Companies 10 (Goodwill) and 560 (Muhlenberg EMS) with Rescue 10 (Temple) were on the original dispatch.
Crews arrived on scene to find a two car motor vehicle accident with one vehicle striking a building. A car traveling on Kutztown Road had lost control and collided with another passenger car before crashing into the D side of a residence on Florin Avenue. Many additional resources were requested to the scene including technical rescue teams.
The driver of the car that hit the residence suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Reading Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was shaken up but refused treatment at the scene. No one was in the house at the time of the accident.
While crews were working to secure the wall that had been smashed, they noticed a strong smell of natural gas. Upon investigation, a high level of gas was detected. All crews were evacuated and UGI was notified. Due to the high concentrations, the neighborhood adjacent to the accident was evacuated as a precaution.
Personnel remained on scene well into the evening as UGI dug up the sidewalk to control the gas leak. After the leak was contained, crews remained on the scene as the car was removed. Residents were allowed back into their homes by 6:30 PM and all companies were clear of the scene by 10:00 PM.
