Crews responding to a call reporting a fire with two adults and three to four children trapped were told by neighbors once they arrived at 211 Hudson Street around 9:45 p.m. that all occupants were able to make it out before their arrival, Reading Fire Department said.
Several handlines were stretched through the burning building and up through the roof, authorities said.
During the overhaul, firefighters found a marijuana grow operation in a nearby building that was damaged by the fire, authorities said. Local police were notified.
Since the structure was so badly burned and unstable, crews ordered a company to demolish the building, fire officials said.
The fire was placed under control at 11:03 p.m. — nearly an hour after the initial dispatch, authorities said.
There were no injuries reported, however, crews remained on the scene for several hours while demolition took place.
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