Fire that destroyed group home in Berks ruled accidental
May 6—Investigators have issued a ruling on the April 11 blaze that destroyed a Cumru Township residence that operated as a group home. They determined it was accidental.
The fire on Harry Avenue originated within a rear wall of the house, inside the void space behind the gas fireplace, fire investigators from Cumru police, Cumru Township Fire Department and Pennsylvania State Police determined.
The fire extended to the deck.
Four residents were sleeping when the fire was discovered about 2:30 a.m. The staff member who was in the home at the time woke them up after discovering the rear deck was on fire and led them to safety, Cumru police said.
The house was destroyed.
The residents were temporarily placed in other group homes operated by the owner, Dayspring Homes Inc., a faith-based organization that provides residential group services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Dayspring plans to rebuild on the site, a spokeswoman said.
The organization is raising funds at dayspring-homes-inc.square.site/ to facilitate donations to help the residents replace their furniture and personal items that were destroyed in the blaze.
