NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police are searching for an all-terrain vehicle stolen from a local World War II veteran.

The theft was reported by the 99-year-old veteran on Friday morning.

The 1987 Suzuki 4-Wheeler, orange in color and with a plow attached, was taken from a residence on lower Furnace Street. The theft occurred sometime in the past two weeks.

Police declined to expand on the theft, saying the incident is under investigation.

However, the department's posting on Facebook seeking information on the incident stated the 4-wheeler was very important to the victim. Though it hadn't been used in a while, "itt was an symbol of independence to him as the victim no longer is able to drive a vehicle," the post read.

North Adams Police are asking anyone with any information regarding the matter contact the station at 413-664-4944, Ext. 4209.

A stubborn wall fire made its way up the side of a Windom Terrace home on Thursday night.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A basement fire at a Windom Terrace home on Thursday burned up through the siding and into the roof before firefighters could finally douse the smoky blaze.

The fire was first reported as smoke coming from the basement shortly before 11:30 p.m. but a police officer who swung by immediately reported it as a structure fire.

The wraparound porch on the single-family home at 25 Windom was in flames and smoke was pouring from the basement. The owner, Joanne Derose, was able to exit the building; three cats were also taken safely from the structure.

"She heard the smoke detector going off in the basement, opened the door all the smoke and fire came up," said Fire Director Stephen Meranti. "Before we got here that porch was fully involved. you could see how it spread way over here.

"It got from the porch ceiling into the walls right up through outside wall and into the eaves ... there's really not that much fire."

More than a dozen firefighters attacked the blaze at several points on the exterior — pulling down the porch ceiling, yanking off the vinly siding and exterior sheathing, cutting a hole in the roof — as the intensity of the smoke moved up the west side of the building. The flames popped through roof at its peak.

"There's no structural damage, it's all exterior," Meranti said. "The worst part is water damage.

"We put down salvage covers over the furniture to try to protect them from damage, but unfortunately, you've got to open the walls to get to the fire."

Much of the fire damage is in the basement, which had "all kinds of combustible material."

The house cannot be occupied at the moment and Derose was going to spend the night with family.

North Adams Ambulance Service was at the scene and the Clarksburg responded with an air truck. A fire watch was set for the night.

Church Street was closed between Washington Avenue and Elmwood to allow hoses to be run up from Church Street.

The fire was contained by1:30. The cause is still under investigation.

Hayleigh Jacobs was last seen on Saturday at the Berkshire Mall.

***CANCEL: Cancel the Missing Person Report. Hayleigh has been located and is safe and sound. Thank you for your assistance and shares. CANCEL***

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are seeking help in the search for a missing 16-year-old Pittsfield girl.

Hayleigh Jacobs was last seen on Saturday, May 16, at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough at about 9:45 a.m. with two men or boys, both of slim build and with short hair, and a woman or girl who stands about 5-foot-2 with long brown hair.

Jacobs is described as white, approximately 5-foot-5 tall and weighing 114 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes and was last seen wearing multicolored leggings and a grey sweat shirt. She had attended Drury High School.

Anyone with information regarding Hayleigh Jacobs or her whereabouts is asked to contact Pittsfield Police at 413-448-9700.