Superior Court Briefs: September 12 - September 16

Police Search Apartment Connected To Murder Suspect

High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A high-speed chase on Saturday night ended with a single-car crash on Route 2 that sent three of the vehicle's occupants to the hospital.

According to police, Michael Gancarz, 18, of Lime Street, Adams, was traveling north on Howland Avenue at speeds in excess of 100 mph in a 2006 Subaru Impreza at about 9:30.

The vehicle was totaled; booms can be seen near where the car landed to contain any oil leakage.

Adams Police pursued and contacted North Adams Police. Within minutes, the Subaru had smashed through the guardrails and a stop sign at the intersection of Curran Memorial Highway and South State Street, near The Range miniature golf course.

The car went airborne and landed in a ditch near the near a body of  water.

Passengers Justin Meczywor, 17, of Clarksburg and two girls whose names were not released because of their ages were taken to North Adams Regional Hospital.

Gancarz was charged by Adams Police with operating a vehicle with intent to endanger, failing to stop for police, a marked-lanes violation and speeding.

Church Street Closed For Chlorine Smell

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A stretch of Church Street was closed for more than three hours on Thursday night after a strong chlorine smell was reported near the Hoosac Tunnel.

The hazardous material team found no indication of chlorine and the scene was being cleared shortly after 11 p.m.

The Fire Department responded to 892 Church St., near the mouth of the Hoosac Tunnel at 8 p.m. according to the police log. Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco said two firefighters in protective gear approached the tunnel and saw an "orange cloud."

"Just to be safe, we evacuated some of the residences on Church Street and West Shaft Road," he said. The Florida Fire Department also was alerted to check the town's entrance to the five-mile railroad tunnel but found no odor on their end.

Morocco said a train had traveled through the tunnel prior to the report of the odor. Pan Am Railways was contacted and the train and cars were stopped in New York State and inspected but nothing was found.

Fire Director Stephen Meranti, two fire trucks, police, North Adams Ambulance Service and representatives from the railway were at the scene.

The road was closed between Hodges Cross and the intersection with Ashland Street. There are few residences along that section of road, with most of the frontage taken up by cemeteries, Morrison Berkshire, Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, the old cider mill, the School Department's greenhouse program and a bus depot.

Chlorine is a common disinfectant used widely in swimming pools. It can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and, in high concentrations, cause lung damage and even death.

The hazmat team arrived at about 9:30 and four team members went to the tunnel to take readings that came up negative. A hazmat truck was also reportedly on Main Street for a time.

"They didn't find anything. Whatever was there had dissipated," said Morocco.

Residents were going to be allowed back in their homes as the scene was cleared.

North Adams Fire Damages Apartment

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An apartment fire at 585 State Road on Wednesday afternoon has left a couple temporarily homeless and shut down traffic on the busy highway for nearly an hour.

The fire was contained to the Apartment B duplex on the second floor but a second apartment with a single occupant suffered smoke damage. No one was injured and all the occupants evacuated safely.

When firefighters arrived they were unsure if there was anybody still in the building. The responders broke into two crews – one to search and the other to extinguish the fire in the second-floor bedroom, according to Fire Director Stephen Meranti.

"We had multiple calls on it so we call in all off-duty personnel," Meranti said. "The guys did a great job knocking it down quickly."

Utilities were also disconnected and firefighters protected the first floor with tarps to prevent water damage.

The building was being checked by Building Inspector William Meranti but was not believed to have suffered any structural damage. A fire watch was being set for the night.

The Red Cross was also called in for assistance.

The road, Route 2, was closed for about an hour between West Liquors and Ashton Avenue, although limited traffic was allowed through.

The fire was reported at 1:15 p.m. by multiple callers, at least one of whom described flames coming out of the building.

While on scene, the department also received calls of an alarm on Frederickson Street and a kitchen fire on Union Street. Wednesday morning the department also responded to a kitchen fire at Mohawk Forest.