The scene was going to be held for a couple hours to allow for the investigation.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A local man is being detained in the investigation into a suspected arson on Cleveland Avenue on Monday afternoon.
"He's being detained as part of the investigation. So that's all the details we have right now, but we're gonna hold down the scene so we can do a full investigation," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey.
The state fire marshal and state investigators were at the scene later in the afternoon with a dog; Cleveland Avenue remained closed off with the likelihood investigators would be there until later in the evening.
The initial call was that there was a pipe bomb shortly after noon. This has not been confirmed. Then it was called in as a house on fire and police, firefighters and Northern Berkshire EMS responded to the scene.
There was some smoke coming from an upstairs apartment of the home, where the fire apparently started in a bed.
The blaze was put out quickly and one of the home's occupants was taken into custody. The other occupant was able to get out safely though they said their cat was still inside. The cat was found unharmed later and removed safely from the scene.
Interim Police Chief Mark Bailey said earlier in the afternoon that the state fire marshal had been called and that the scene would be held for a couple hours.
Police set up yellow tape around the scene to block traffic and keep nearby residents at a distance. Bailey and detectives entered the unit with gloves on. Firefighters brought in a fan and opened windows in the upstairs apartment to let out smoke.
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North Adams Updated on Schools, Council President Honored With 'Distinction'
By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
Superintendent Timothy Callahan gives a presentation on the school system at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council got an update on what's up in the school system and its president was inducted into the mayor's Women's Leadership Hall of Fame.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey, as the city's first woman mayor, established the Hall of Fame in 2022, during March, Women's History Month, to recognize local women who have had a positive impact on the city. Past inductees have included the council's first woman president Fran Buckley, Gov. Jane Swift and boxing pioneer Gail Grandchamp.
She described President Ashley Shade as a colleague and a friend and a former student.
"Ashley is known not just for her leadership, but for her compassion, her ability to listen, to understand and to stand up for those whose voices are often gone unheard," the mayor said. "She has been a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ plus community and marginalized communities at both the local and national level here in North Adams."
Elected in 2021, Shade is the first openly transgender person to hold the role of council president in Massachusetts. She also leads the first-ever woman majority council in the city's history.
The McCann Technical School graduate also has served on boards and commissions, "always working to make our city more inclusive, equitable and welcoming," said the mayor. "Ashley not leads not only with strength, but with a heart, and our community is a much stronger place because of it."
Shade, wearing her signature pink suit, was presented with a plaque from the mayor designating her a "woman of distinction."
The City Council got an update on what's up in the school system and its president was inducted into the mayor's Women's Leadership Hall of Fame. click for more
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He explained his plans to the License Commission on Tuesday as he applied for an all-alcohol license for Zio Roberto Ristorante and Taverna, which is expected to open in late May.
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Qwanell Bradley scored 33 points, and Adan Wicks added 29 as the Hoosac Valley boys basketball team won a Division 5 State Championship on Sunday. click for more