Home Damaged, Pets Lost in North Adams Fire

 

Fire Director Stephen Meranti said the fire began on small exterior porch on the south side of the single-family home. 

 

"It extended up the outside and it entered a window on the second floor and it entered the attic, so the attic was a little difficult," he said. "The fire gets between the slate and board."

 

The fire was called in shortly after midnight by a neighbor, who also alerted the homeowners. The house's fire alarms went off as well, said Meranti.

 

Police Officer Anthony Beverly, who responded within minutes, said he could see the fire before he took the corner onto Greylock and that the smoke was so heavy he had trouble seeing his way around the outside of the house.

 

"The south side of the building was fully on fire," he said. 'The flames were roiling up the side. They knocked it down pretty quick. They did a good job."

 

Fire Lt. John Paciorek called for the oncoming shift en route to the scene after hearing Beverly's description and put out an all call for all shifts to come in when he got to the scene. 

 

Clarksburg Fire Company sent a truck to fill the airpacks and Adams Fire Department was covering the North Adams station. North Adams Ambulance Service set up a rehab tent for firefighters to get out the rain. 

 

Meranti said the occupants were able to get out of the house but not their two cats. 

 

"They lost the two cats in there, they couldn't revive them," he said.

 

The incident is still under investigation but is not considered suspicious.