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Blaze Destroys Great Barrington Garage, Woodworking Shop

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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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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

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