A neighbor shared an image of thick black smoke rising the from the blaze.
Updated on Aug. 28, at 8:30 am - According to the Pittsfield Fire Department, during Wednesday night's fire at District Attorney Timothy Shugrue's home, command staff confirmed that all occupants, including the owner, were out of the house. One minor injury was reported. The individual was treated and released.
Fire officials reported that the fire was under control in approximately 90 minutes, with crews working in difficult conditions.
When Engine 1 arrived, they reported fire showing from the two-and-a-half-story, wood-frame, single-family residence. Crews began stretching handlines to begin extinguishment operations. Barker Road was closed in the area due to the location of the address and the water supply hose being laid in the roadway.
Command arrived on scene and called for a second alarm response, bringing all on-duty personnel to the scene. Engine 3 arrived and established a water supply with approximately 2,000 feet of supply line and relay pump operations.
Engine 5 arrived and assisted with the supply line and RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) operations. Engines 2 and 6 arrived and immediately assisted with fire extinguishment operations. The Tower 1 crew laddered the building and vented the roof to release smoke and heat.
Crews from the Dalton Fire Department provided mutual aid coverage for the city. Hinsdale Fire and County Ambulance assisted with rehab and EMS standby. Eversource and Berkshire Gas also arrived to check for and secure utilities. The residence suffered fire, smoke, and water damage. The cause and origin of the fire is currently under investigation, with the Pittsfield Fire Investigation Unit, Pittsfield Police, and Massachusetts State Police working together.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters were called to a structure fire at the home of Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue early Wednesday evening.
The fire was called in about 5:45 p.m. at 732 1/2 Barker Road, a 3,000 square-foot home down a long driveway called "Whispering Pines." It is just east of Melbourne Road.
Scanner reports said a column of smoke and fire could be seen from the home, which is about 1,000 feet from the road.
A second alarm was called just before 6 p.m. and mutual aid was called to Dalton, Lenox and Richmond to standby or cover the Pittsfield fire station.
The Richmond Fire Department's rehab truck arrived on the scene just before 7 p.m.
Access to the scene was limited because it was private property.
Some neighbor's gathered on Barker Road with concerned looks and discussing what caused the fire.
It was reported that officials from the district attorney's office were also present at the scene. Individuals in business attire could be seen walking to and from the home.
Mayor Peter Marchetti was at the scene but declined to comment.
At approximately 7:50 a reporter witnessed a person being pushed to an ambulance on a gurney. The individual was fully covered in a pink blanket so their identity is unknown.
A poodle was reported running loose from the house.
The area is closed off between the airport's Gate 8 and Melbourne Road and traffic is being diverted.
Further information was not immediately available.
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Pittsfield Sees Similar Water/Sewer Rate Hike in FY27
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The mayor's office has proposed a 7 percent water rate increase and a 6.40 percent sewer rate increase for fiscal year 2027.
Budget season has begun, and on Tuesday, the City Council will see proposed water and sewer rates. This would increase scheduled accounts by about $6.50 per month, and metered accounts would rise by about $4.30 per month.
They are based on a 5.10 percent Consumer Price Index Factor.
"The rate changes proposed support the budget for the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds and fund increases in salaries and expenses for Utilities system operations, debt service for capital projects, and the build-up of Retained Earnings," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities wrote in a communication.
Under these rates, the average household would pay about $370 per year for one toilet and about $461 for its sewer, totaling around $831. Additional toilets would cost about $416 per year, and metered water would be $2.67 per 100 cubic feet for water and $5.48 per 100 cubic feet for sewer, totaling $8.15 per 100 cubic feet.
Swimming pool charges would increase from $100 annually to $120.
The FY26 increases were almost the same: a 7 percent water rate increase and a 6 percent sewer rate increase.
A couple of years ago, Mayor Peter Marchetti proposed a formula-based approach for water/sewer rates that aims to fairly adjust rates yearly using the Consumer Price Index Factor (CPIF) and the Operational Stability Factor (OSF).
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