College Students to Sleep at Pittsfield Common

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. - College students from Berkshire Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will camp out overnight at the Pittsfield Common on First Street. The 24-hour event will begin Saturday, May 16, at 4pm.

The purpose of the event is to educate the community about homelessness in the city, as well as to raise funds for a local family shelter, Our Friends House. JD Herbert, director of housing and shelters at Berkshire County’s Actions Council, will speak about his role in the community, and previous homeless people will share their success stories. Games and activities will be run throughout the event.

Volunteers must bring their sleeping gear, boxes or tents. Extra boxes will be provided, but supplies are limited. Campers must bring their own food. Grills will be available for those who wish to cookout. MRE (meals ready to eat) food served at the shelter will be available to volunteers who don’t bring food.

Participants must be 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult. No drugs, alcohol, physical fighting, pets, or vandalism will be allowed. Anyone breaking these rules will be asked to leave the park. Police officers will be on site at all times, as well as medical experts. Students are encouraged to leave valuables at home.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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