More than 600 Participate in Steel Rail Races

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Matthew Ferraro was the first runner across the finish line at the MountainOne Steel Rail Marathon.
 
Ferraro clocked a time of 2 hours, 41 minutes flat on the Ashuwilticook Rail Trail course.
 
He finished a little more than five minutes ahead of runner-up Nick Reid (2:46:15).
 
Simone Veale won the race's women's division in a time of 3:18:42. She beat out Jill Hussain, who covered the course in 3:27:23.
 
The fastest marathoner on Sunday was Stephen Gulley, a hand cyclist, who clocked a time of 2:15:03.
 
The 26.2-mile circuit was covered by 150 finishers ranging in age from 18 (William Hanley in 14th place) to 72 (Ric Nudell, who finished in 6:04:47).
 
The day also featured a half-marathon and an 8-kilometer race.
 
Mark Rabasco won the half-marathon in 1:18:41, edging Vincent Gauthier (1:22:38).
 
Kat Morrissey placed third overall in 1:23:43 and first among women in the half-marathon, which had 213 finishers.
 
Abigail Chaloux was the fastest woman in the 8K, crossing the finish line in 35:52, six seconds ahead of Caroline Kessler; the two women were ninth and 10th, respectively, overall in a field of 171 finishers.
 
Peter Hale had the fastest 8K time, 27:42. Erik Kessler was second in 30:32.
 
More than 600 people registered for Sunday's races, a record for the Berkshire Running Foundation event. Runners from 24 different states signed up to run.
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Pittsfield Firefighters Respond To Gas Leak

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield firefighters safely discharged a 1000-gallon underground propane tank that was breached presenting an immediate safety and environmental hazard.
 
On Thursday, June 25  at 2:52pm, the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 41 Shaker Lane for a reported gas leak. 
Upon arrival firefighters found workers had sheared off the fill, service, and safety valves to a 1000-gallon underground propane tank. The vessel was estimated to be 60 percent full at the time of the breach.
 
A breached underground propane tank is a serious safety and environmental hazard. Immediate action is required to protect people, property, and the environment. Propane is highly flammable and can be deadly if inhaled in high concentrations or exposed to fire, making proper handling and storage essential. It exists as a gas in standard conditions but was in a refrigerated liquified state at the time of this incident.
 
Fire personnel ensured immediate evacuation of the property and together with Eversource, secured power to 41 Shaker and adjoining properties. A Tier 1 Hazardous Materials response was initiated, resulting in (5) technicians arriving and providing assistance with mitigation and area air monitoring with portable gas indicators. Industry experts from Lipton Energy arrived and provided technical support. Pittsfield PD assisted with traffic/pedestrian control and maintaining a safe operating perimeter.
 
Ultimately, due to the nature of the rupture it was impossible to safely offload the product. Engines 1 and 3 stayed on scene and assisted in dissipating the product into air via forced water injection. Water is forced into the tank at higher pressure than the tank’s static pressure. Because water is denser, it sinks below the liquid propane and displaces it, slowly and safely releasing it into the atmosphere. Water injection into the tank is a slow, methodical process that enables the refrigerated propane to escape without a dangerous level of vapor buildup.
 
Personnel remained on scene for four hours. The were no civilian or responder injuries associated with this incident.
 
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