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Firefighters at a structure fire off Barker Road in Pittsfield.
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Firefighters run a hose down the 1,000-foot driveway from the nearest hydrant.
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Cars being turned around on Barker Road.

UPDATE: Blaze at DA's Home; One Minor Injury Reported

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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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. 

Tags: structure fire,   

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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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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