Pittsfield Apartment Fire Displaces Residents, Under Investigation

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A fire at a multi-unit building at 24-26 John St in Pittsfield required a second alarm response from the Pittsfield Fire Department.

Fire crews were initially called to the scene for a reported structure fire. Car 2, arriving first, reported "nothing showing," however firefighters eventually found heavy flames in a first-floor apartment on the 24 John St side of the building.

Engine 3 stretched a handline to attack the blaze. Heavy black smoke billowing from the second floor, a second alarm was called, bringing all on-duty personnel and apparatus to the scene.

Firefighters worked for approximately 40 minutes to get the fire under control. While Engine 3 battled the main fire, other crews were busy stretching backup lines, searching the building, handling ventilation, and setting up a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).

No civilians or firefighters were injured in the incident.

Eversource and Berkshire Gas were called in to secure the utilities. The American Red Cross is now assisting four adults who were displaced by the fire, providing them with housing and other necessities.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Pittsfield Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit, the Pittsfield Police Department Investigation Unit, and investigators from the State Fire Marshalls Office.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.