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Firefighters knocked a blaze in a home undergoing renovation on Valentine Road on Wednesday.

Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down House Fire

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters were able to knock down a blaze in an unoccupied house at 58 Valentine Road on Wednesday. 
 
Firefighters responded at about 4:43 p.m. after multiple people reported seeing fire showing from the structure as they drove by. 
 
It was unknown at that time if anyone was still in the building.
 
Deputy Chief Neil Myers said four engine companies and a ladder company responded and found flames coming from the right exterior of the single-story ranch and immediately stretched a hose line for fire attack. An off-duty sheriff's deputy was  at the scene and had used a garden hose against the fire on the exterior of the home. 
 
Engine 3 established a water supply and truck company completed a primary search while Engine 1 located and knocked the main body of fire down. 
 
The home was found to be unoccupied, and the homeowner arrived approximately 10 minutes after firefighters' arrival. The fire was safely under control within that time with fire damage confined to a bathroom and the immediate exterior of the home. The remainder of the home suffered severe smoke damage throughout. 
 
No fire or civilian personnel were injured.
 
The homeowner had recently purchased the house and was in the process of renovations with plans to move in within the month. 
 
County Ambulance responded to the fire scene with Dalton and Lenox providing mutual aid coverage for the city for a short time along with eight off-duty firefighters. The Fire Investigation Unit is currently investigating the origin of the fire.

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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