Elaine Bogert once believed Weisenberg Township had neither the money nor the manpower to maintain its own fire company.

Following a recent fire at her home, Bogert is glad she was wrong.

According to Weisenberg Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Scott Freeman, Upper Macungie previously served the township and charged Weisenberg for fire calls.

"Fogelsville Volunteer Fire Department did not charge Weisenberg for services," Freeman said. "Many of the current volunteers at Weisenberg originated their volunteer careers at Fogelsville and we feel strong connections to the organization."

Nine Weisenberg volunteer firefighters re-sponded to the 8 a.m. call on April 8 reporting smoke was coming out of the chimney at the Bogert home.

"A passerby reported heavy smoke from the chimney," Freeman said. "When we arrived, Mr. Bogert was the only one awake. He was not aware anyone had called.

"Mr. Bogert told us he just added wood to the fire and it was normal for it to smoke the way it was.

"He added he had just recently cleaned the chimney. During winter months, it is common for us to be dispatched for smoke investigations.

"The smoke was flowing from the chimney normally when we left."

However, at 8:35 a.m., a woman driver stopped and said flames 2-feet high were coming out of the chimney, Bogert said.

"Leonard [her husband] went up but could not put it out," she said.

The woman, whose husband is a firefighter with the Kempton Fire Company, called 911 on her cell phone.

Weisenberg firefighters returned and determined the cold winter weather caused the flue to break and block the chimney, Bogert said.

They emptied the wood from the furnace and put it in a wheelbarrow to take outside.

Blocks on top of the chimney had to be broken off. The fire was below the blockage caused by a broken piece of the flue so the firefighters could not get at it.

"We used a thermal imaging camera, which allows us to see temperature differences on most surfaces," Freeman explained. "Colors on the camera approximate hot, potential fire areas.

"The thermal camera indicated a significant hot spot in-line with the second floor of the home.

"We also used carbon monoxide detectors to verify the breathing air in the home was safe for the residents to remain in the house."

In the bedroom, items were removed and Bogert was asked what was most important.

"Leonard brought Rubbermaid tubs from the attic and books were put in them for removal," Bogert said.

Bogert was impressed by how careful the firefighters were. The bed was pulled away from the wall and covered, she said.

"I left the room (a back bedroom) when they started tearing off a wall. I came down to the kitchen and told the firefighter he wasn't tearing out the kitchen.

"We were sitting in the kitchen filling out paperwork, which was necessary for possible insurance claims," Bogert said.

"Powder was put in the chimney to be sure the fire was out. They hadn't replaced the stovepipe, so the powder came up to the kitchen.

"They assured me it wasn't harmful, just a mess.

"They intentionally didn't use water because it would have caused damage."

One of the things that made an impression on Bogert was the firefighters called her "Elaine."

They addressed her husband as Mr. Bogert.

He wondered why, but she said as a pastor she was out in the community so much, was in PTA and Girl Scouts, so everyone knew her.

"Out of courtesy we try to address people by Mr. or Mrs.," Freeman said. "Many of our members know Elaine on a first name basis."

"It makes me feel good to be called Elaine," she said.

She was impressed with the firefighters not using water, their speed and how quickly they set up and knew what had to be done.

Bogert wrote a thank-you letter to the Weisenberg Township Volunteer Fire Company.

"I just had to write to compliment you on your wonderful work," she wrote in the letter. "We were amazed at the job you did and the concern you had for our property."

Bogert said she realizes now there is another generation that loves Weisenberg and is eager and willing to carry on.

"Leonard and I count our blessings," she concluded.