Jan. 30--Spring Township police and firefighters rescued a woman, a toddler and 11 puppies from their home early Tuesday after fire filled it with smoke.
Felicia M. Ribble, 23, and her 3-year-old son, Colton Geise, were taken by Western Berks Ambulance to St. Joseph Medical Center, where they were treated for smoke inhalation, township Fire Chief Michael Roth said.
Roth said the fire started about 4 a.m. in a hutch on the first floor of the house at 742 Fritztown Road. Spring Fire Commissioner Pat Brandenberg said the fire was sparked by a candle.
"The flames spread up the wall and across the ceiling, filling the house with smoke," Roth said.
He said the house had smoke alarms, but it was unknown if Ribble and Geise were awakened by them or by smoke.
Ribble called 9-1-1 and police arrived minutes later to find Ribble and her son leaning out of a second-floor window to escape the smoke.
"The officers coaxed them out of the window onto the porch roof," Roth said.
By that time, firefighters had arrived and got a ladder from a rescue truck and brought the pair to safety. Meanwhile, other firefighters entered the house and quickly put out the fire before it could spread, Roth said.
"They got lucky," he said.
Roth estimated damage at $10,000. Ribble, her son and their puppies are staying with relatives, he said.
Roth said the puppies were rescued by firefighters and appeared unharmed.
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