Man Charged in Pittsfield Fire That Killed Cat

Staff Reports 10:07PM / Tuesday, July 22, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 23-year-old man has been charged for an early morning structure fire that killed a family cat.

Around 3:10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, police and firefighters responded to a two-family residence on Fourth Street for a reported structure fire.

Hunter Barrett was arrested and charged with arson later that day.

"All occupants of the building were able to safely exit the building," police wrote around 8:30 p.m.

"Unfortunately, a family cat perished in the blaze."

The street number was not disclosed.

As a result of the ensuing investigation, Barrett was arrested and charged with arson of a dwelling. He is expected to be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Wednesday, July 23.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the police, Fire Department, and the State Police Fire Investigation Team.

Tags: structure fire,

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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
04:38AM / Wednesday, August 05, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The American Red Cross declared its second national blood supply crisis in its history on Monday, but community members can breathe easy thanks to Berkshire Health System's blood donor program.

Berkshire Medical System has always had a stationary donor center for autologous donations, which is no longer common practice, and had some O-negative blood on hand that it purchased from the Red Cross prior to having its own blood donor program, said Christine Amuso, blood donor coordinator.

Today, Berkshire Health System's blood donor program collects about 2,300 to 2,400 units of blood annually, all of which stays within Berkshire County to help keep local blood supplies stocked.

In some years, the program has reached record collections of about 3,000 units.

"That [record has] only happened a couple of times since I've been employed with the program. So, we really have done wonders with the program," Amuso said.

Donating blood through Berkshire Health System's program is accessible, with a donor center at the main campus and a mobile blood unit that travels throughout Berkshire County, including select Saturdays.

While appointments for blood donations are strongly encouraged, staff also intentionally leave scheduling gaps to accommodate additional donors who walk in without an appointment.

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