A Hereford home absorbed heavy roof and smoke damage during a fire over the weekend. Outdoor burning caused the blaze, according to Josh Boroski, chief of the Hereford Volunteer Fire Company.

            A property owner in the 1800 block of Tollgate Road was not injured. The roof and a corner of the residence were significantly damaged, said Boroski.

            Firefighters were dispatched around 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19. They observed heavy smoke and flames rising from the roof and the back corner of the residence.

            Boroski said the fire started in a burn barrel and spread to the home. He described the barrel's location as "not necessarily close to the house."

            The fire chief said the amount of brush surrounding the house, located near the intersection Rizzi Square and Tollgate Road, allowed the blaze to spread.

            One firefighter suffered a finger laceration, according to Boroski.

            Firefighters from East Greenville, Pennsburg, Red Hill, Upper Milford, Topton, Eastern Berks and Milford Township, as well as a crew from Bally Ambulance, responded to the scene.