A chemical fire erupted in the basement of a Pennsylvania cosmetic factory this July. This is according to a recent article by Ben Hasty of the Record Eagle. The fire broke out at about 1:30 p.m. in Reading, PA at a manufacturing plant owned by Cospro Development Corporation. A recent investigation of the fire recently concluded that the cause was a defective ballast system used for fluorescent lighting.
Fifteen employees were present in the building at the time of the fire but none were injured. The occupants were all located on the building’s second floor at that time.
“The fire alarms saved lives,” Reading Fire Marshall Jeremy L. Seafross said. “It’s a very old building. The fire alarms activated to alert the occupants of the fire.”
The incident is a testament to the importance of a functioning alarm system and sound evacuation plan. All of the occupants involved in the Reading fire were on the second floor of the building when the alarms sounded. A prompt evacuation of this manufacturing facility may have saved the lives of many.
Seafross says he is working with the city codes department to make sure the building is safely restored, damaged wiring is replaced, and alarm systems are inspected and reset before the factory opens for operation once again.
The estimated damage to the Cospro Development Corp. building in Reading is estimated to be between $75,000 and $100,000.
PLAN. PROTECT. SAVE LIVES.
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Reading Eagle – Reading cosmetic factory fire that drew hazmat team ruled accidental
