Pittsfield Fire Contained to Kitchen

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A small kitchen fire forced a Strong Avenue family to flee their home on Monday evening. 
 
According to Deputy Chief Daniel Garner, the Fire Department responded at about 6:13 p.m. to 51 Strong Ave. for a reported grease fire with three engines, Tower 1 and Engine 5's Rapid Intervention Team. 
 
Engine 6 found the occupants outside and extinguished the fire as Engine 3's crew removed damaged appliances and burnt materials. Tower 1's crew ventilated the structure of smoke and dry chemical irritants. 
 
A family of five was temporarily displaced during this event but the property was turned back to the owner, and
they are expected to remain in the home, reported Garner. Fire damage was limited to the kitchen.
 
The department is commending the fast action of the occupants when the fire started. The adult occupants, upon finding the grease fire flare up, acted quickly to minimize damage, said Garner, then they promptly called 911, placed a small "fire blanket" on the stovetop area, and quickly exited the structure. The fire blanket is made to assist in controlling or slowing down a potential stovetop fire by cutting off the oxygen supply. These actions prevented much more damage from occurring.
 
There were no fire or civilian injuries associated with this incident.

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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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