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An apparent kitchen fire heavily damaged one side of duplex in Pittsfield's Morningside neighborhood.

Two-Alarm Fire Damages Pittsfield Duplex

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Saturday night two-alarm fire caused significant damage to half of a Morningside duplex. There were no injuries reported.

The Fire Department responded at about 6 p.m. to a report of smoke coming from the windows of 42-44 Myrtle St. at the corner of Hull Street. Firefighters found the kitchen of the righthand apartment, 42 Myrtle, fully involved and fire extending into the rest of the unit.

Five engines, one ladder, and neighboring town departments responded to the blaze.

Engine 3 attacked the main fire, Engine 5 provided backup, Engine 1 secured a water supply and did a primary search of the engulfed apartment, and Engine 2 searched the other apartment.

Engine 6 responded as a Rapid Intervention Team.

A second alarm was called because of heat and smoke migration throughout the building, sending all of the city's apparatus to the scene and Dalton and Lenox fire departments came to the Pittsfield department's headquarters for coverage.

The fire was brought under control in less than an hour.


The damage was mostly contained to the side with the fire, which sustained severe fire damage in the kitchen and living area, smoke and water damage on the first floor, and smoke damage on the second floor.

The unit's windows are also broken.

The residents on the other side of the duplex were able to stay in their home with some smoke damage. David Carpenter, who resides at 44 Myrtle, said it was a grease fire that was started after food was left unattended while being cooked.

He said two pet rabbits were rescued from the neighbor's side but two cats remain missing.

The cause is currently being investigated by the Fire Investigation Unit.

The home is a 2 1/2-story wood frame duplex and was built in 1900.


Tags: structure fire,   

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BCC Wins Grant for New Automatic External Defibrillator

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $2,326 grant, funded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, for the purchase of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) device. 
 
The grant specifically covers a device for use inside one of BCC's security vehicles for easy access when traversing the campus.  
 
In total, the Commonwealth awarded more than $165,000 in grant funding to 58 municipalities,
13 public colleges and universities, and nine nonprofits to purchase AEDs for emergency response vehicles. The program is designed to increase access to lifesaving equipment during medical emergencies, when every second matters.  
 
An AED is a medical device used to support people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, which is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. An AED analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.  
 
"Immediate access to AEDs is vital to someone facing a medical crisis. By expanding availability statewide, we're equipping first responders with the necessary tools to provide lifesaving emergency care for patients," said Governor Maura Healey. "This essential equipment will enhance the medical response for cardiac patients across Massachusetts and improve outcomes during an emergency event."  
 
The funds were awarded through a competitive application process conducted by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).  
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