Pittsfield Firefighters Contain North St. Blaze

Print Story | Email Story
Provided Photo
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 664/666 North St. for smoke showing from the same address. 
 
Engine 2 arrived and found fire showing from the exterior rear of the 2-1/2 story, wood frame, 4 family apartment building. E2 crew pulled a 1-3/4" handline and attacked the main body of fire.
 
The department's  response consisted of E3, E2, E5, Truck 2, and Car2. E1 responded to scene as a rapid intervention crew. While E2 extinguished all visible fire, E3 conducted a primary search of the building, E5 secured water supply, and T2 assisted with checking for fire extension.
 
The fire was extinguished and overhauled within an hour. Firefighters remained on scene until 12:15 am. 
 
There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries. Fire damage was limited to the exterior of the building and mild smoke damage to the first-floor unit of 664 North.
 
The Department's Fire Investigation Unit is investigating origin and cause. There are no damage estimates at the time. 
 
There were three units occupied and no occupants were displaced because of this fire.

Tags: structure fire,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Fire District Seeks State OK for Permanent Chief

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District is considering interim Fire Chief Christopher Francis Cachat for the permanent chief position, pending required state approval.
 
Cachat has been serving as chief since January 2025, with the duties being split between himself, Administrative Deputy Chief Charlotte Crane, and Capt. Dennis Tinker. 
 
However, one challenge to making his appointment permanent is that Cachat is older than 65, the mandatory retirement age for firefighters in Massachusetts.
 
In 1987, the state eliminated the maximum age and mandatory retirement requirements for most public employees, but firefighters were exempt from this ruling. 
 
The law requires the personnel administrator to study whether a firefighter can serve past the mandatory retirement age, considering job risks, physical demands, and the costs of injuries for older personnel.
 
Towns and cities can seek a home-rule petition from the state Legislature and governor to allow an individual to continue serving in a position past the age of 65, and the Fire District is in the process of doing just that. 
 
State Rep. Leigh Davis filed a home-rule bill last March on the district's behalf to allow Cachat, who has been with the department for four decades, to continue serving until age 70, provided he remains physically and mentally capable of fulfilling the role’s duties. 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories