A dryer fire in the basement of the Riveredge Restaurant caused a major smoke condition affecting the basement and first floors of the establishment. 

Firefighters from Greenfields, Mount Pleasant and West Reading Fire Companies were intitially dispatched for an automatic fire alarm coming from the basment of the building. Upon the arrival of Chief Scott Haupt, heavy smoke was seen emitting from the rear basement and employees were evacuating the first floor of the building. Chief Haupt ordered an upgrade of the alarm to a Structure Assignment which added Goodwill Station 10 and Spring Township Station 85 for their Rapid Intervention Team.

Engine 55 was directed to set up on the rear side of the building and Captian Brian Fisher was sent inside to perform a size-up. Captian Fisher found textiles smoldering inside a commercial dryer, however the fire was contained. A pressurized water extinguisher was utilized to fully extinguish the fire and then the contents of the dryer were removed. 

Mount Pleasant crews assisted Captian Fisher with ventilation and  securing the power to the damaged dryer while crews from West Reading and Goodwill vented the smoke from the first floor of the building.

The incident was borught under control in about 45 minutes and damage was confined to the dryer and its contents.

Damage was limited in large part because the fire was detected during an early stage by the central station monitored fire alarm system. If left to burn, the fire could have easily extended throughout the basement and into the structural part of the building. 

Thanks to Mount Pleasant, West Reading, Goodwill and Spring Township FD's for all your help.