Pittsfield Fire Knocks Down Christmas Day Blaze

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A first-responder caught an image of the fire before the Fire Department got to the scene.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Christmas Day fire on East Mill Street displaced a family of five. 
 
Deputy Chief Daniel Garner reported that the Fire Department was alerted to the blaze at 23 East Mill at 4:39 p.m. on Dec. 25. Firefighters found flames venting from windows on the first floor of the 2 1/2 story wood frame structure. 
 
One crew conducted a primary search to ensure the three-unit building was evacuated while others worked to extinguish the fire in the first-floor kitchen. The fire was knocked down and under control within 20 minutes but the room sustained fire damage and the first floor smoke damage. Garner put the damage estimate as less than $2,000. 
 
The cause of the fire was not yet determined and the family was being assisted by the Red Cross. There were no injuries reported. 

Tags: structure fire,   

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Pittsfield Traffic Commission Fields Stop Sign Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Commuters may soon see several new traffic signs along their routes. 
 
At its Thursday meeting, the Traffic Commission considered requests for several new stop signs, advancing one proposal and continuing discussion on two others.
 
The commission approve a four-way stop at the intersection of Merriam Street, Catherine Street, and Buchan Street, which Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi requested on behalf of residents. The traffic order will now go before the City Council. 
 
Lampiasi explained that the petition was prompted by feedback from multiple households in the neighborhood during the height of road construction on West Street.  
 
She is concerned that people will use this route as a bypass once the light at the intersection of Upper and Lower West Streets is installed. 
 
"The main concern is that there are small children. There are elderly folks who walk in the area regularly, and also driving their vehicles," she said. 
 
"They found that folks just trying to get through Merriam weren't noticing them, whether they be in their car, bicycle, or walking, just trying to get across the street." 
 
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