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A fire at an apartment building on State Road seriously injured an occupant.
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North Adams Man Seriously Injured in State Road Fire

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
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The police Detective Bureau is investigating the fire, described by some as an 'explosion.' 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A city man was seriously injured in what was described as an "explosion" in his State Road apartment. 
 
The cause is unknown at this time and the incident is under investigation by North Adams Police and Fire and the State Fire Marshal's Office. 
 
Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre said the individual was pulled out through the back window of a bedroom in his first-floor apartment with "significant burns to the lower extremities."
 
"He's been taken to the appropriate facility but at this time, we don't have any further information," the chief said. 
 
The victim was reportedly taken to another hospital by medical helicopter from Berkshire Medical Center's North Adams campus. 
 
The incident was reported as a structure fire at about 2:26 p.m. Lefebvre said there was a small amount of fire that was quickly snuffed when firefighters arrived. 
 
The building at 1054 State Road has five apartments and is owned by David Chenail Sr. and Elaine M Chenail Trustees, according to city records. 
 
The fire took place in the back of the apartment on the eastern side of the structure and was tightly contained to that area. 
 
Lefebvre said there was no structural damage but there is heat and smoke damage that would prohibit the other tenants from staying in the building at least tonight. 
 
"But it's definitely cleanable ... very, very little damage to the structure," he said. 
 
State Road was closed from the line with Williamstown to Ashton Avenue for more than an hour because of fire hoses across the road. In addition to fire and police, Northern Berkshire EMS responded with three units. 
 

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Clarksburg Joining Drug Prevention Coalition

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board has agreed to join a collaborative effort for drug prevention and harm reduction.
 
The new coalition will hire a North County community coordinator who will be headquartered on the North Adams Regional Hospital campus and who oversee allocations for harm reduction, education and prevention efforts. Berkshire Health Systems has also committed about $120,000 over the next five years. 
 
Clarksburg, one of the first communities to sign on to the opioid lawsuit filed by a consortium of states several years ago, has so far received payouts of $23,594.78. It's expected to receive nearly $64,000 by the end of the 16-year payout. 
 
In October, the board had discussed whether to pool that money with other communities, expressing concerns that the small town would not receive enough benefits.
 
"Anytime there's a pooling of money I think countywide, I think we know where the bulk goes to," said member Colton Andrew said Monday. "I'm more open to the idea of keeping the money here but open to hearing your intentions and how the mony will be allocated."
 
Chair Robert Norcross said he felt there seemed to be a focus on harm reduction, such as the use of Narcan, and not enough for prevention or problem-solving.
 
But after hearing from members of the nascent coalition, members voted Monday night to partner with other Northern Berkshire communities.
 
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