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An attic fire forced two families to flee their Greylock Terrace home early Monday morning.

Pittsfield Fire Displaces Five, Injures Firefighters

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An attic fire that scorched the top portion of a duplex early Monday morning displaced five residents and injured two firefighters.

The Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 95 Greylock Terrace at about 3:30 p.m. Two firefighters were treated on the scene with minor injuries; there were no civilian injuries.

"Dispatch reported 911 caller attempted to extinguish a growing fire in their attic with an
extinguisher but were unsuccessful," the department reported.

The fire is currently under investigation but early findings point to a possible electrical issue.

The blaze was extinguished within one hour. Fire and smoke damage were contained to the attic and the second floor sustained water damage from attempts to douse the blaze.

Three engines, one car, and a tower truck responded while the Rapid Intervention Team was put on standby.



When Engine 5 and Car 2 arrived, they found smoke emanating from the 2 1/2 story, wood-
frame, two-family home. The E5 crew began extinguishing the growing attic fire using a hose line while the E3 crew secured the water supply to E5 and assisted with fire suppression.

E2 crew conducted a primary search of the building to ensure all occupants were accounted for and the Tower-1 crew ventilated the building and used salvage covers to lessen water damage to the occupants' belongings.

There are no current estimates for damage and the utilities were shut off until repairs are made. The Red Cross is assisting the five occupants with relocating during this time.

The PFD credited Pittsfield Police for assisting the evacuation efforts before they arrived.

From the outside, the home's two dormer attic windows are broken and there appears to be char inside. The structure dates to 1900


Tags: structure fire,   

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Pittsfield Council Preview: Councilor Privacy & Halting Berkshire Gas Work Permits

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Tuesday, the City Council will see requests to protect their own safety when it comes to sensitive information, and to deny work permits from Berkshire Gas due to "substandard" conditions. 

A request to remove councilors' addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with "70 Allen Street" to improve safety will be referred to the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee. Councilors' addresses, city email, and phone numbers are currently available on Pittsfield's staff directory page. 

The petition was submitted by Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham, Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, and Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody. 

The councilors explain in the meeting packet that they want elected officials to have the option to replace their home addresses on all city documents and websites, including Pittsfield Community Television, with the City Hall address. 

Recently, the City Council approved Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi's request to amend City Council Rule 1C. Rule 1C requires individuals to disclose their name, address, and the subject they wish to address the council about on a sheet before the open microphone portion of meetings.

Lampiasi asked to only require a person's name and municipality. 

"I don't think that submitting a street address is really appropriate," she explained to the O&R subcommittee earlier this month. 

"It feels invasive, and there are some safety concerns for folks." 

President Earl Persip III wants Berkshire Gas to correct safety and access issues before Pittsfield allows them to do additional work on city property. 

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