PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A shed on West Housatonic Street burned up on Wednesday evening when a battery overheated.
Deputy Chief Daniel Garner said the call came in at 7:59 p.m. for a reported structure fire at Soldier On.
Engine 1 found the large, open-air shed, about 500 square feet in size, fully involved with fire. The crew advanced a hoseline to attack the blaze and Tower 1 arrived with a second line to protect the main Soldier On building from fire impingement and radiant heat exposure.
Engine 3 shifted tasks to checking for potential inured bystanders. Engine 5 returned to cover the city.
The shed fire was under control within 10 minutes and determined fully extinguished within 30. The main building, which stands 20 feet from the shed, sustained minimal damage to windows and roof soffit trim.
The Fire Investigation Unit arrived and determined cause as a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery that powered an e-bike. The bike was found charging, and an event occurred which started a "thermal runaway" of one or more Li-ion fuel cells.
This rapid-fire progression quickly spread to the entirety of the shed and threatened the exposed building. PFD credits Soldier On's occupants for quickly calling 911 and promptly following their evacuation protocols.
There were no reported injuries from this fire and the scene was turned over to the facility directors.
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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis.
Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report.
During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report.
"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions. As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday.
"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements."
He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report.
"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote.
Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.
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