04-05-2025
3rd member of Berks family dies in Reading Hospital 5 days after home fire
The third member of a Robeson Township family has died of injuries suffered in a two-alarm predawn home fire on April 28.
Phyllis Lauck, 74, was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. Saturday by a staff doctor in Reading Hospital, where she had been on life support since the fire, Robeson Township police said.
Her husband, Charles S., 74, and their son, Charles L., 54, died in the hospital the morning of the fire.
Members of the state police Troop L fire marshal unit are investigating the cause, but police said it is not considered to be the result of criminal activity.
While they haven't pinpointed a cause, they're making progress and have isolated the point of origin to the rear exterior of the house, Robeson Township police Officer Justin Schlottman said.
Also hospitalized were three volunteer firefighters who suffered smoke inhalation during the search for the victims in the burning home.
Fire officials said the younger Charles Lauck had called 911 shortly before 6:30 a.m. to report the house was on fire and was filling with smoke. Just before further communication from him ended, he told dispatchers he couldn't find his elderly parents.
Firefighters removed three people from a burning home in the 700 block of White Bear Road in Robeson Township on Monday morning. (STEVEN HENSHAW -READING EAGLE)
Chief Scott Gullo of Geigertown Fire Company found the young Lauck near the kitchen area and dragged him out with the help of other firefighters. A Robeson police office performed CPR on Charles L. before paramedics arrived.
All three of the firefighters who were hospitalized are employed fulltime with the Robeson Township public works department. They responded with their gear and made entry, along with Gullo, without the benefit of air tanks.
Two of the firefighters are members of Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department. The other is a member of Geigertown Fire Company and also serves with the Exeter department.
All three were released the next day.
A relative has launched a GoFundMe page for donations to assist the younger Charles' 28-year-old son, who is the next-of-kin, with funeral and other expenses for his father and grandparents. As of Saturday afternoon, nearly $13,000 had been raised, Here's the link:
