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Pittsfield firefighters are battling a major structure fire on North Street.
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North Street has been blocked off past Linden Street.
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Pittsfield Firefighters Battling 3-Alarm Blaze on North Street

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters were battling a large blaze on North Street late Wednesday night. 
 
The fire at 6 White Terrace was called in shortly before midnight as a structure fire and a third alarm was called in. 
 
Smoke could be seen billowing from the upper floors of the four-story building that fronts on North Street not far from Berkshire Medical Center. 
 
This fire appears to be in the middle section of the building. There's heavy smoke and flames can be seen coming out of windows, and the roof.
 
North Street was blocked off from at least Linden Street to White Terrace and a smoky haze covers the area. 
 
The apartment building was the scene of a fire in 2017 on the north end of the three-structure complex. At least two dozen people had to be evacuated at that time and four people were treated at the hospital.
 
Fire Department officials were unable to comment at this time and the building is reportedly unoccupied.
 
Hinsdale Fire Department and its rehab bus are on the scene as are Lenox firefighters. Police are not allowing anyone close to the scene and visibility is low from smoke.

Tags: structure fire,   

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District Moving On From Allegations Against PHS Administrator

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district is "moving on" from unsubstantiated allegations against two Pittsfield High School administrators, saying there is no threat.

Dean of Students Molly West returned to work last week after being put on leave in December. The Department of Children and Families has cleared West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard of misconduct claims that surfaced after another PHS dean was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine.

School Committee Chair William Cameron on Wednesday emphasized that when such an investigation finds no evidence of wrongdoing, fundamental fairness and due process prohibits taking punitive action simply because of allegations. Reportedly, West was also investigated and cleared in the past.

"The circumstances of Mrs. West being placed on administrative leave don't need to be recited here," he said.

"Social media allegations made against her in December, which then regrettably were widely publicized, were not new. They had been heard, investigated, and found meritless by other school districts many years ago, nevertheless, they were disinterred recently by someone providing neither evidence nor a credible source and then reinvestigated twice in the last three months."

Senior Emma Goetze said she was "appalled, deeply disappointed, and frustrated that an administrator who has been placed on leave, someone who has caused significant discomfort and distress to so many students, has been allowed to return to our building."

"I understand that there is an investigation and acknowledge that this individual was cleared but it feels incredibly unjust to me and to many of my peers that despite everything, this person is being given the opportunity to come back," she said. "It's important to recognize that even though an investigation may have found no wrongdoing, that doesn't change the reality of how this individual's presence makes many students feel."

Investigations led by DCF and retired Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the accusations.

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