The primary point of attack for the fire was through a garage door at the front of the structure.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Two dozen firefighters from three different departments worked through the night to extinguish a blaze in a garage and shop on Henderson Road.
No injuries were associated with the blaze at 551 Henderson Road, which was called in by owner Philip Larabee at 10:07 p.m., Fire Chief Craig Pedercini reported on Friday morning.
No one was in the structure when the fire started, Pedercini said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Firefighters from Williamstown, Clarksburg and Pownal, Vt., worked on the fire until about 4 a.m., Pedercini said.
Fourteen call volunteer firefighters from Williamstown were on scene along with seven or eight firefighters from Pownal. Clarksburg sent a tanker to the scene and provided coverage at the Williamstown fire station until 2 a.m.
Williamstown Police and Northern Berkshire Emergency Medical Services also were on scene in a support role, but Pedercini reported that no first responders were injured.
"One of the hazards I was mostly concerned about was ice," Pedercini said. "The ground was wet and frozen. I was more concerned someone might rush too much and slip on the ice and get hurt.
"I cautioned everybody, and they did a great job."
Another concern was the presence of propane, acetylene and oxygen tanks inside the building, he said.
"We pulled some stuff out of there because it was easily accessible and got it out of the way," Pedercini said.
He credited the first firefighters on the scene with helping to prevent the blaze from getting out of hand
"One of my first officers arrived on scene and saw flames as they came up Brook Road," Pedercini said. "It was burning on the back side of the building. That was the initial area.
"The first two guys in did a great job knocking it down. They used a 2 1/2-inch line, which is a lot of water. They got it knocked down so it was manageable with a lot less water."
Among the responders from Williamstown were five Williams College students, including several who joined the service this year, Pedercini said.
"One of them was a little more seasoned," he said. "He's been around a few years. He was one of the first ones on the initial attack with one of my officers.
"The other ones learned a lot. I couldn't get them into any fire, but they were able to be of use grabbing tools, bringing things back and forth, and we had them on a handline."
Thursday's fire also marked the first time Williamstown's recently acquired tanker truck was used to fight a blaze. Pedercini said his officers estimated a little less than 5,000 gallons of water was used in the operation.
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Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation of Powers' Concern
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter.
The committee accepted language designed to meet concerns raised by the Planning Board about separation of powers under the charter.
The committee's original compliance language — Article 32 on the annual town meeting warrant — would have made the Select Board responsible for determining a remedy if any other town board or committee violated the charter.
The Planning Board objected to that notion, pointing out that it would give one elected body in town some authority over another.
On Wednesday, Charter Review Committee co-Chairs Andrew Hogeland and Jeffrey Johnson, both members of the Select Board, brought their colleagues amended language that, in essence, gives authority to enforce charter compliance by a board to its appointing authority.
For example, the Select Board would have authority to determine a remedy if, say, the Community Preservation Committee somehow violated the charter. And the voters, who elect the Planning Board, would have ultimate say if that body violates the charter.
In reality, the charter says very little about what town boards and committees — other than the Select Board — can or cannot do, and the powers of bodies like the Planning Board are regulated by state law.
The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter. click for more
Developer David Traggorth asked the trustees to make the contribution from its coffers to help unlock an additional $5.4 million in state funds for the planned 54-unit apartment building at the south end of the Cable Mills site.
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The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college.
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Neighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood. click for more