The Moss Street Fire

On May 25, 1996, a three alarm arson fire, out of control for more than four hours, destroyed the former Great Factory Store in the 1100 block of Moss Street. The building was vacant since July 1985. The 2nd largest fire in the history of the City of Reading spread to dozens of homes, prompting the evacuation of 36 surrounding houses. The fire required city-wide recall of all firefighters, along with mutual aid from all over Berks County.

[@MaxxVelo]

Yo, 1996 was 25 frickin years ago. Holy!!!

[@eaglechas]

Wow

[@johnjablonski9292]

was there with a few buddies,,, we were coming back from a fire fighters parade in sinking spring... this B1tch sober our asses up quick

[@scothafer1]

If this was the 2nd largest fire, what was the 1st?

[@nicpic5750]

It was only considered the 2nd bc what they considered the 1st, sadly had 2 deaths

[@nicpic5750]

It was at the YMCA in town

[@skidude8989]

@@nicpic5750 The YMCA fire was not even close to being the second biggest fire in Reading. Because there were several fatalities does not make it a bigger fire. The Penn Hardware building fire on the southwest side of Reading was way far bigger.

[@nicpic5750]

@@skidude8989.. yes, i said this. But as in being the “biggest,” this takes the cake. The whole block was on fire, the surrounding blocks had made damage

[@JasonBatz]

The largest fire in Reading was the Penn Hardware Factory in the 1800’s