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Lenox firefighters extinguished a Crystal Street fire within 30 minutes. Some waste oil was in the runoff and is being assessed by MassDEP.

Lenox Fire Douses Garage Blaze, Cause Under Investigation

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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LENOX, Mass. — Firefighters made swift work of a garage fire that could have turned into a conflagration on Friday morning. 
 
The report of smoke in the area of 5 Crystal St. came in at 10:51 a.m. According scanner reports, the owner alerted authorities that the fire was in a garage behind the home and at least 20 gallons of waste oil was on the premises. 
 
Fire Chief Chris O'Brien said the fire was brought under control and extinguished within 30 minutes. 
 
The windy conditions didn't hamper firefighters' efforts.
 
"We didn’t run into any trouble — we are experiencing oil in the runoff," said O'Brien. "I just got off phone with MassDEP, they are on their way."
 
Waste oil is highly flammable and can produce toxic fumes. Reportedly, some vehicle work had been done in the garage. 
 
The cause of the blaze is being investigated and the state Department of Environmental Protection will be assessing the runoff. 
 
There were no injuries and Lee Fire Department was called to cover the Lenox station. 

Tags: structure fire,   

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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