Pennsburg volunteer firefighters were kept busy during fire prevention week as they responded to four separate incidents during the pre-dawn hours last Thursday and Friday, in a five-block area of the borough between W. 2^nd St. and W. 5^th St.

                The first incident was reported at 3:15 on Thursday morning in the rear of a home in the 300 block of Dotts St. According to a report, the person who called 911 stated that he was walking home from work when he saw flames coming from underneath the engine.  Firefighters responded and the fire was contained and quickly extinguished.

                Three hours later, a report of a building fire in the rear of the 400 block of Main St. had firefighters from Pennsburg, East Greenville, Red Hill and an emergency medical unit from Upper Perkiomen Ambulance responding.  The small fire, which ignited on a garage door, was extinguished before firefighters arrived.

                At 3 a.m. Friday morning, firefighters were called to a lot in the 400 block of Railroad St.  where a caller reported looking out her window and seeing "flames above the fence in her yard."

                Upper Perk Police arrived quickly on the scene and reported two vehicles on fire.  Pennsburg Fire Chief Scott Seip arrived shortly after police and reported at least two sheds, adjacent to the burning cars, were at risk of burning as well.

                Flames lit up the area as firefighters arrived and quickly extinguished the blaze which was under control by 3:20. 

                Police units from Douglass and New Hanover townships, as well as a K-9 unit from Pottstown Police Department, responded to assist with a search of the area for a subject described as "carrying a flashlight, having brown hair and wearing dark clothing."

                At 6:15 Friday morning, a resident of the 200 block of Cherry St. opened the door on his pick-up truck and found the interior had burned.  The fire was out when the incident was discovered.

                Pennsburg fire officials and Upper Perk Police officers were dispatched to the scene and called for a fire investigator from the Montgomery County Detectives Office, who was dispatched to the scene.

                No damage estimates were given for the incidents.

                A fifth incident was reported on Tuesday morning when firefighters were called for the report of the "smell of smoke" in the area of Cherry St. and W. Third St. at 4:11 a.m.  Police and firefighters responded and searched the area.  The source of the odor was listed as unfounded.  Seip did not believe this incident was malicious or related to the suspicious fires.

                Fire marshals from Pennsburg, the Montgomery County Detectives and the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as the Upper Perk Police Department are investigating the incidents.

                The incidents have prompted local fire officials to remind people to lock their parked vehicles.

                Officials ask that anyone seeing anything suspicious or have any information regarding the incidents to notify the Upper Perk Police Department.