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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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the  POST Commission. 

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission. 

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted.  On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April. 

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday. 

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.  

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads. 

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline." 

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