Pittsfield Firefighters Battle Structure Fire, Brushfire
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters fought a series of structure fires and a brush fire under control this Friday.
Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at 933 Holmes Rd. around 4:24 pm on Friday Nov. 8. At the same time, firefighters were called to the area of 10 Scamwell Avenue for an out-of-control brush fire with possible impingement to a house.
Upon arrival, firefighters found a working structure fire in the rear of 8/10 Scamwell. There was also active fire on the rear porch of 12 Scamwell, with a large swath of fire extending up the rear yard hillside to nearby homes on Draper Avenue.
The fire at 8/10 Scamwell, a 2-1/2 story, wood frame, two-family dwelling, extended into the home and took hold in the common attic space. Engine 5 arrived and stretched 1-3/4" and 2-1/2" hose lines to the rear of the affected structures and began suppression.
Upon confirming the Holmes Road fire alarm was minor, Engine 6 released the assignment which brought E3, E1, T2 to the Scamwell/Draper scene.
A second alarm was struck, and two command zones were initiated, with Car2 and Car3 commanding Scamwell and Draper respectively. Hinsdale Fire responded with their rehab/air trucks.
Firefighers attacked the fire in the rear of 8/10 Scamwell and 12 Scamwell, E3 crew stretched 2" hose to the attic of 8/10 Scamwell and began extinguishing all fire in the attic space.
E2 crew secured water supplies. E6 crews conducted a primary search of the building to ensure occupants were all out.
T2 crew laddered the building and assisted with identifying fire extension within the building. Car 4 arrived and assumed safety officer. Car1 and M-1 arrived on scene.
Engine 1 and Car3 arrived on Draper Avenue and stretched fire hose to control the fire line impinging on the homes adjoining the Scamwell scene. They extinguished a growing fire under a rear porch deck and multiple "hot spots" in the dry, wooded area near several homes on Draper.
Lenox Fire responded directly to the Scamwell/Draper scenes and stood fast for backup.
Both scenes were under control within 60-90 minutes. The gusty, churning, wind-patterns in the rear of the Scamwell homes initially contributed to rapid fire growth. These same wind patterns shifted away from immediate structures during initial stages of operations and helped save further fire growth to the buildings.
Everource and Berkshire Gas responded and secured utilities. There were two families displaced from 8/10 Scamwell because of this fire. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
There were no reported injuries.
Fire cause is being investigated by the Pittsfield Fire Investigation Unit.
Mutual aid partners: Lenox Fire, Dalton Fire, Adams Fire, Lanesboro Fire, and Hinsdale Fire
Tags: structure fire,
