On Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 11:40 AM the Pennsylvania State Police at Reading received a 911 call from one of the occupants of 15619 Kutztown Rd. The female resident had fled her residence to call 911.
The male at the address was reported to have splashed himself with gasoline and was observed carrying propane tanks into the residence. He had advised his wife to leave the house.
Shortly thereafter a fire was reported at the house.
Fire crews responded to 15619 Kutztown Road Maxatawny Twp. For the report of a residential structure fire.
During the suppression efforts a firefighter was injured and suffered burns despite wearing all his protective bunker gear.
He attempted to make entry due to the fact that the male was reported to be inside. The firefighter suffered burns on his left shoulder and damage to his bunker gear. He was treated and released from the hospital.
The male was unaccounted for during the initial fire response and subsequent investigation.
An extensive search of the area was conducted. The male was not located at the fire scene but was located later in the evening in West Penn Township Schuylkill County. The male still has not been identified by police.
The fire is still under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.
At the scene, the State Police at Reading were assisted by State Police at Fogelsville, Northern Berks Police, Fleetwood Police, and Kutztown Police.