Police investigating fire at Berks County manufacturer

The state police Troop L fire marshal’s unit is seeking the public’s help in determining the cause of a fire that destroyed several hundred empty battery cases that were being stored on a lot of the sprawling East Penn Manufacturing property in northeastern Berks County.

Trooper Janssen Herb, who is leading the investigation, said he’s especially interested in photographs witnesses may have taken of the early stages of the fire Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone with information or photos may call the state police Reading station at 610-378-4011 or Herb directly at 610-378-4224.

Although the plant that manufactures DEKA batteries and other products is along Fleetwood Lyons Road in Richmond Township, the fire occurred in a portion in Maxatawny Township. The fire was discovered about 4 p.m.

Fire crews arrived to find several new wrapped plastic battery holders on fire on the lot where they were being stored. Several hundred new cases that were stored on pallets were consumed. The plastic cases did not contain batteries, so no hazardous chemicals were involved.

Crews quickly brought the flames under control. A damage estimate was unavailable.

Social media posts of cellphone photos showed large plumes of thick, black smoke billowing from the complex.

In a statement released Wednesday, East Penn Manufacturing said, “The company is grateful that no employees or emergency crew were injured by the fire. There is no damage to the company’s facilities, and the fire was quickly extinguished. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state police fire marshal’s office.”