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Medical aid then responded, and the person was transported to Berkshire Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Pittsfield Man Killed in Car Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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Update on Jan. 21, 2022: Authorities are still investigating a fatal car fire on Wednesday morning that killed 69-year-old Barry Dunnells. 
 
Dunnells, of Pittsfield, was pulled from a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo outside the Livingston Apartments on East Street by firefighters. 
 
He was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. 
 
Fire officials said Dunnells was inside the burning car when they arrived at about 8:40 a.m. Two other vehicles parked nearby were damaged.
 
The body was taken to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office to determine the the cause and manner of death. Pittsfield detective and fire investigators, and the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the incident.

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A person suffered life-threatening injuries from a car fire on Wednesday morning that spread to two other vehicles.

Around 8:40 am, a motor vehicle fire was called into 911 at 257-265 East Street or the Livingston apartment building.  The car was parked in the parking lot behind the building on 7 Second St. 

The Pittsfield Fire Department responded with one engine and arrived at the same time as the Pittsfield Police Department. Upon arrival, they found a person was still in the burning vehicle and was on fire.

"Typically a motor vehicle fires a one-engine response, we responded one engine. They arrived concurrently with Pittsfield police and bystanders explained that there was still a person in the motor vehicle that was on fire," Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner reported.

He added that the fire began to spread to surrounding vehicles. Three vehicles in total were damaged.

"So Engine Three firefighters pulled the person from their burning vehicle.  At that point, I arrived and I found the fire had spread to other motor vehicles," he said. "I called for more assistance because Engine Three then started medical aid on the victim."

Medical aid then responded, and the person was transported to Berkshire Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

The section of Second Street that the apartment building is on was closed off for about two hours to make room for emergency vehicles.  

Garner confirmed that the fire was in a parked car and was not the result of a crash.  At the time, he did not have an update on the victim's condition.

The area of the fire is marked off with barricade tape.


The incident is currently being investigated by the Pittsfield Fire Department’s fire investigation unit, the Pittsfield Police, and Massachusetts Fire Marshal's Office.


Tags: fatal,   fire,   

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Friday Front Porch Feature: Historic Craftmanship on Park Avenue

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

DALTON, Mass. — Are you looking for a unique estate with historic craftsmanship? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 1 Park Ave.

This four-bedroom, 4 1/2-bath house was built in 1913 and is 6,755 square feet (which includes a finished third floor) with more than five acres.

The home is rich in character with wood flooring, a sweeping staircase, and original architectural details that are a rare find.

The main level includes a kitchen with a butler's pantry and a walk-in pantry. There is also a living room with fireplace, a den, drawing room, and multiple porches to enjoy the outdoors.

Upstairs you'll find the primary suite that includes a sitting room and a sun porch. It also has a bathroom with a jetted soaking tub, steam shower, and bidet.

The home also has a four-car garage and its finished third floor is perfect to use as another living space or a recreational room.

The house is on the market for $1,275,000.

We spoke with Sheila Thunfors with Stone House Properties who is listing the home.

What do you think makes this house stand out in the current market?

It is so rare to find a house of this vintage with such exceptional craftsmanship and in such outstanding condition. To replicate would be near impossible and beyond exorbitant in cost. There is a remarkable balance of elegance with comfortable everyday living.

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