Pittsfield Firefighters Contain North St. Blaze

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 664/666 North St. for smoke showing from the same address. 
 
Engine 2 arrived and found fire showing from the exterior rear of the 2-1/2 story, wood frame, 4 family apartment building. E2 crew pulled a 1-3/4" handline and attacked the main body of fire.
 
The department's  response consisted of E3, E2, E5, Truck 2, and Car2. E1 responded to scene as a rapid intervention crew. While E2 extinguished all visible fire, E3 conducted a primary search of the building, E5 secured water supply, and T2 assisted with checking for fire extension.
 
The fire was extinguished and overhauled within an hour. Firefighters remained on scene until 12:15 am. 
 
There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries. Fire damage was limited to the exterior of the building and mild smoke damage to the first-floor unit of 664 North.
 
The Department's Fire Investigation Unit is investigating origin and cause. There are no damage estimates at the time. 
 
There were three units occupied and no occupants were displaced because of this fire.

Tags: structure fire,   

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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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