Pittsfield Woman Dies After Structure Fire

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city woman died Monday night at Berkshire Medical Center after a fire in her home, according to a statement from the district attorney's office.

 

Pittsfield Fire Department responded to the structure fire on Chickering Street shortly after 10 p.m. Firefighters located Frances Lysonski, 74, on the second floor after what they described as an extensive search. Emergency medical services transported her to BMC, where she later died at approximately 11:20 p.m.

 

A city firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries after falling from a ladder while trying to locate the woman. EMS transported him to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

 

The fire began on the first floor and extended to the second. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in approximately 45 minutes.

 

"All crews worked diligently, in high heat conditions, to bring the fire under control in approximately 45 minutes," wrote Deputy Chief Ron Clement. "The first and second floor of the home sustained smoke, fire and water damage."

 

The Pittsfield Fire Department, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Pittsfield Police Department's investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. The focus of the investigation is on an accidental cause.