Amity house with historic ties damaged by 2-alarm fire

AMITY TWP., Pa. -

A home that nearly burnt to the ground after a fierce fire has a colorful history in Berks County.

A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal was back on scene Thursday in the 600 block of Monocacy Creek Road in Amity Township. Restoration crews spent the day boarding up the doors and windows.

The house was left gutted by a two-alarm fire Wednesday afternoon, and it's now the focus of an active investigation.

"It was built in 1895, essentially for Sunday school purposes," said George M. Meiser IX, a local historian.

Before smoke and flames attacked the home, itused to be the site of scouting events, chicken dinners and civic meetings.

"It was a community center at a time when there were no community centers. That was it," said Meiser, who addedmembership dwindled over the years, and it was eventually converted into a residence.

According to officials,the owner was not home at the time of the fire and the structure isuninhabitable.

Fire tore clear through the roof and walls, and a burntstove near the back of the home showed its intensity.

"Our neighbor, over here, even their water smells like smoke," said Sandra Shantz, who lives a few doors down. "They have a lot of smoke damage in their home."

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Amity house with historic ties damaged by 2-alarm fire