PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday Sept. 18 at 8:22 a.m. the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 565 West Housatonic St for multiple callers reporting a building fire. 

 

Upon arrival Engine 1 observed heavy smoke pushing out of eves around the entire single story bungalow style residence. An initial report received from a caller was the occupants were not home, but two dogs were inside the building. 

 

E-1 stretched a hose line to the front door and made entry into the building. E-3 supplied E-1 with a water supply, shutting down both east and westbound lanes of Rt. 20. 

 

The Police Department was called upon initial dispatch anticipating this so traffic was rerouted safely and

promptly. 

 

Truck 2 began a primary search of the building focusing on finding the two dogs while E-1 searched for the seat of the fire. 

 

E-6 stretched a backup line to the front door and E-3 assisted with the search of the dogs. E-5 was called to scene to provide RIT (Rapid Intervention Team/FF rescue standby) once E-1 gave their arrival report and Action Ambulance provided EMS standby. 

 

This was a smaller style home with tight transitions between rooms and the extremely heavy smoke conditions throughout hampered efforts to find the fire and search for the dogs.

 

E-1 located the seat of the fire in a rear kitchen and extinguished the main body of fire. E-3 located the dogs in an office adjacent to the back kitchen and were able to walk the dogs through the home quickly and out the front door and to the homeowners who had just arrived. 

 

Both dogs appeared to have no visible injuries. 

 

It was later determined the door to that office was closed prior to our arrival which kept the heavy smoke from entering and very likely saved their lives.

 

The main body of fire was contained to the kitchen with water damage in the kitchen and room below in the basement. There was heavy smoke damage throughout the entire home. The fire remains under investigation by the Pittsfield Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit. Both residents and their two dogs are safe and are making living arrangements with family. 

 

One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion at the scene and was transported to Berkshire Medical Center by Action Ambulance for evaluation.

 

The Pittsfield Fire Department reinforced the power of cell phones and the 911 system. 

 

"The quick action by those who called this fire in played a big part in saving this home and their dogs from what could have been a much more tragic outcome," stated a report from the fire department.