GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — A Division Street garage went up in flames on Thursday night, destroying the woodworking shop inside.
The fire is under investigation by local authorities and the State Fire Marshal's Office but is not deemed suspicious and is presumed to be weather related. There were no injuries.
Firefighters responded to 69 Division St. at about 7:56 p.m. for a reported garage fire; additional calls to 911 reported a fully engulfed garage with a house in close proximity.
Interim Chief James Mead said he arrived to find heavy fire completely involving the
structure with an exposure approximately 25 feet away. Mead requested the first alarm and a tanker task force.
Engine 3 arrived approximately 6 minutes after dispatch and quickly knocked down the 30-foot flames with a deck gun before transitioning to handlines and extensive overhaul. Engines 4 and 2 supplemented Engine 3 with water until tankers from Egremont, Monterey and Sheffield arrived. A nearby hydrant was not a viable water source.
The blaze was brought under control within 20 minutes, however, firefighters remained on scene pulling apart and hosing down the contents for approximately four hours with the assistance of a mini excavator. The garage and its contents were a total loss and the nearby stucco home had minor damage from heat exposure.
Great Barrington was assisted by police, the Sheffield, Egremont and Monterey fire
departments, and the Fire Department Support Group. The Great Barrington station was staffed by an engine from Sheffield.
"I would like to extend our sympathy to the homeowner who not only lost the garage, but also lost all of their woodworking tools and equipment inside," said Mead, adding, "I am very proud of our firefighters for making such a quick knockdown and saving the home that was moments away from igniting. I also want to thank our Support Group and Southern Berkshire Ambulance for ensuring that our firefighters stayed hydrated and healthy during this unprecedented heat."
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A Thousand Flock to Designer Showcase Fundraiser at Cassilis Farm
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
NEW MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — More than a thousand visitors toured the decked-out halls of Cassilis Farm last month in support of the affordable housing development.
Construct Inc. held its first Designer Showcase exhibition in the Gilded Age estate throughout June, showcasing over a dozen creatives' work through temporary room transformations themed to "Nature in the Berkshires." The event supported the nonprofit's effort to convert the property into 11 affordable housing units.
"Part of our real interest in doing this is it really gives folks a chance to have a different picture of what affordable housing can be," Construct's Executive Director Jane Ralph said.
"The stereotypes we all have in our minds are not what it ever really is and this is clearly something very different so it's a great opportunity to restore a house that means so much to so many in this community, and many of those folks have come, for another purpose that's really somewhat in line with some of the things it's been used for in the past."
"It can be done, and done well," Project Manager Nichole Dupont commented. She was repeatedly told that this was the highlight of the Berkshire summer and said that involved so many people from so many different sectors.
"The designers were exceptional to work with. They fully embraced the theme "Nature in the Berkshires" and brought their creative vision and so much hard work to the showhouse. As the rooms began to take shape in early April, I was floored by the detail, research, and vendor engagement that each brought to the table. The same can be said for the landscape artists and the local artists who displayed their work in the gallery space," she reported.
"Everyone's feedback throughout the process was invaluable, and they shared resources and elbow grease to put it together beautifully."
More than 100 volunteers helped the showcase come to fruition, and "the whole while, through the cold weather, the seemingly endless pivots, they never lost sight of what the showhouse was about and that Cassilis Farm would eventually be home to Berkshire workers and families."
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The game-winning rally started when Pittsfield junior Jack Abel led off by crushing a 1-1 pitch to left-center and racing all the way to third base, sliding in just ahead of the tag to give the Generals a sterling scoring opportunity. click for more
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