Fatal fire likely started with radiator igniting diapers

READING, Pa. (AP) — Officials say a fire that killed a Reading couple likely started when a radiator ignited a package of adult diapers leaning against it.

Lt. Jeremy Searfoss of the fire marshal’s office tells the Reading Eagle that the plastic packaging probably caught fire as a result of heat from the radiator. The fire then spread to the wall and engulfed the front of the row house.

72-year-old Pedro Morales and 71-year-old Miriam Vega died in the Dec. 28 blaze. Both had Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the couple’s daughters reported the fire but was unable to get her parents out in time.