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Firefighters made quick work of a blaze in the second story of a home on Pine Street.
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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  



There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

 


Tags: structure fire,   

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Extra Dalton Water Seats Stuck on Beacon Hill

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass.— The proposed amendment to the Fire District's Charter, which would expand the Board of Water Commissioners from three to five members, is still under state review.
 
With election season approaching, District Treasurer/Clerk Melanie Roucoulet said she has received several questions and concerns about when the Board of Water Commissioners will expand from three to five members.
 
During elections last May, voters approved a citizen's petition to change the board to five members in an effort to reduce the risk of Open Meeting Law violations. The change increases the number of members to have a quorum. 
 
According to state Rep. Leigh Davis' office, the bill was passed to be engrossed in the House and is currently within the Senate Rules Committee, Roucoulet said. 
 
State Sen. Paul Marks' office has written a letter to the committee asking for the bill to be released so it can continue through the legislative process. However, as of yet, there isn't an estimated timeline, Roucoulet said. 
 
She said she was informed it could take up to two years. 
 
Prudential Committee Chair Daniel Filiault explained that one challenge with the amendment is that it alters the charter, requiring a legal review to ensure it has the proper language .
 
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