BECKET, Mass. — In an update released by the state Department of Fire Services late Wednesday morning, it was stated that the cause of the fire is still undetermined.
The statement did note that there were issues with the fire suppression system, which are being investigated by the insurance company.
Becket Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal are still investigating the fire that burnt the Doris Duke Studio Theatre completely to the ground Tuesday morning.
The theater is determined to be a total loss; no other buildings were damaged by the fire.
BECKET, Mass. — The Doris Duke Studio Theatre at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival burned to the ground on Tuesday morning.
Nicole Tomasofsky, interim director of communication for Jacob's Pillow, said the fire was reported at about 7 a.m. and was contained to the 216-seat theater.
"[T]he damage to the theater is extensive," she said. "No one was injured in the incident."
Artistic and Executive Director Pamela Tatge later vowed that the festival would rebuild.
"While we have lost some precious, irreplaceable items, those experiences and memories will last forever. We are heartbroken and we are relieved that no one was hurt. On behalf of everyone at the Pillow, we are grateful for the firefighters and officials who have responded so quickly to this devastating emergency on our grounds," she said. "We are grateful for the outpouring of support from around the world we have already received. We will rebuild."
The structure was fully involved and took about two hours to put out, according to news reports. By around noontime, the heavy equipment was pulling the charred remains apart and was still on the campus at 1 p.m.
At least six fire departments responded to the scene, including Chester, Hinsdale, Lee, Otis and Monterey.
"The Becket fire department was first on scene," Becket Select Board Vice Chairman Michael Lavery told WAMC. "The fire was a six-alarm fire and six towns including Monterey were involved. I believe the fire was put out shortly before 9 a.m. but it was a total loss of the one building."
Images posted on Twitter and Facebook show the structure completely destroyed. The state fire marshal's office is reportedly aiding in the investigation.
"The cause of the fire is not known yet. Jacob's Pillow staff are working closely with local officials on the next steps," Tomasofsky said.
The Duke Theatre, named for the philanthropist and arts supporter, was the smaller of the two performance venues at the dance festival. The Ted Shawn Theatre, named for Jacob's Pillow's founder, has more than 600 seats.
The theater opened in 1990 and was Jacob's Pillow's first large studio. It was used for developing new work in class, rehearsals, and performances. Liz Thompson, who designed and built the Inside/Out stage at Jacob's Pillow, was the catalyst for constructing the Doris Duke Theatre.
The Pillow, like many other performing arts venues in the Berkshires, had canceled its season because of the pandemic. It had recently opened studio and housing spaces to a small number of artists this fall for COVID-compliant Pillow Lab residencies.
NOW: Firefighters putting out fire at Doris Duke theater at Jacob’s Pillow in #Becket. Fire departments: Chester, Lee, Otis, Monterey and Hinsdale all here. @WWLP22Newspic.twitter.com/TlPGC5xVYm
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Pittsfield Man Identified as Victim in Alleged Murder
PITTSFIELD, Mass — A man found dismembered in a barrel in Greenfield on Monday has been identified as Pittsfield resident.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office identified victim as Christopher Hairston, 35, and subsequently arrested a suspect, Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, at Albany (N.Y.) International Airport on Tuesday.
He was detained overnight and Massachusetts State Police obtained an arrest warrant on single count of murder Tuesday morning. It is unclear when Herberger-Brown will be returned to Massachusetts for arraignment on the murder charge.
According to the Greenfield Recorder, the suspect was arrested on a murder charge after investigators discovered Hairston's hand and part of a human torso at Herberger-Brown's former apartment, located at 92 Chapman St.
According to a report written by State Police Trooper Blakeley Pottinger, the body was discovered after Greenfield Police received reports of a foul odor emitting from the apartment along with a black hatchet to the left of the barrel, the news outlet said.
The outlet reported that during the investigation, Herberger-Brown allegedly told investigators that the victim's "heart stopped" toward the end of a physical altercation with the victim after he had broken into his apartment and that he believed the victim to be on drugs.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death.
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
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Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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