PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters rescued an individual from the basement of a burning Hubbard Avenue home shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

 

The individual, described as the daughter, was taken to Berkshire Medical Center and airlifted to Massachusetts General in Boston with life-threatening injuries. Her current status is not known.

 

A firefighter was also taken to BMC with lacerations to the knee incurred during the basement search. He was treated, receiving eight stitches, and released.

 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

According to the report by Deputy Chief Neil Myers, B Company responded to a double alarm structure fire at 25 Hubbard Ave. at approximately 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Arriving companies confirmed a working fire in the basement.  

 

Three family members escaped but reported that their daughter was still inside and trapped in the basement. Firefighters conducted an aggressive interior search for her. Myers said a search was done of the first and second floors but the Engine 2 crew, "after an aggressive search under extreme conditions, found the seat of the fire and began extinguishment, but couldn't locate the victim."

 

The E3 and E5 crews at the top of the basement stairs "located the victim in an adjacent first-floor bathroom." She was still breathing and taken outside where County Ambulance emergency medical technicians were standing by.

 

Damage to the house is estimated at $50,000, mostly from major heat, smoke and fire in the basement. The Red Cross was assisting the family in finding shelter.

 

Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Dalton, and Lenox Fire Departments provided mutual aid.