image description — A section of South Street was blocked on Tuesday afternoon as firefighters dealt with an electrical fire.

Dalton Fire Extinguishes Electrical Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
03:59PM / Tuesday, March 01, 2022Print Story | Email Story

No one was injured in the fire, which was quickly extinguished by firefighters.

DALTON, Mass. — Several fire companies were called to 201 South St. on Tuesday afternoon for a report of a structure fire.

The occupants were able to flee the single-family home and firefighters quickly doused what turned out to be an electrical fire.

The call came in at about 1:20 p.m. for a structure fire. Fire Chief James Peltier said there was smoke coming from the front entrance and a fire on the three-season porch.

Cheshire sent its rapid intervention team, Hinsdale firefighters responded for standby and Lanesborough covered the fire station. County Ambulance also responded and police shut down the road for a time. It was reopened about 3 p.m.

"We had a few other towns mutual aid to help us out because it's the daytime and we don't always have enough help," Peltier said.

He said the homeowners had thrown water on the fire and the smoke worsened. The firefighters quickly went into action to get the residents out of the house and away from the smoke.

"We were able to extinguish the fire relatively quickly," the chief said. "They had thrown some water on it. With the amount of smoke in the house, we had to get them out quickly because we don't want to hang around."

Firefighters stopped the progression of the fire, ripped apart some of the burnt material to confirm the absence of fire, and monitored the house for carbon monoxide.

Tags: electrical,

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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