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Hooker Street and a section of Francis Street were closed off after a fire in a Francis Street home on Monday morning.

Two Dead in Fatal North Adams Fire

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Two people were found dead in Monday morning's fire on Francis Avenue. 
 
The Berkshire District Attorney's Office on Monday afternoon confirmed that firefighters had entered the single-family home to search for occupants and found the two already deceased. No other individuals were located inside the residence.  
 
The names of the fire victims are being withheld until notification of next of kin. The DA's Office stated that an update would be released once that is done.  
 
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of their deaths. The North Adams Police and State Police investigators from the State Fire Marshal and DA's office responded to the scene.
 
According to an earlier statement from the Fire Department, the fire was reported about 7:11 a.m. Scanner reports said smoke was coming from the roof and out the doors, and that individuals may have been inside. 
 
The home is on a hillside and firefighters entered through the basement access to attack the fire and search for occupants. 
 
The blaze was contained to the single-family home near the intersection with Hooker Street. 
 
Northern Berkshire EMS was called to the scene and Clarksburg was called to cover the station.
 
By 9 a.m., the fire was out, but police, fire and EMS were on the scene, which was cordoned off with yellow tape. Hooker Street was also closed off. 
 
According to the department, "emergency response agencies will remain on scene for an extended period for overhaul, investigation, and safety operations. The public is urged to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely and efficiently. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available."
 
Original post at 9:50 a.m., Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. 

Tags: fatal,   structure fire,   

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Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. 

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.
 
The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members. 
 
After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.
 
"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."
 
She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.
 
"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."
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