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An attic fire forced two families to flee their Greylock Terrace home early Monday morning.

Pittsfield Fire Displaces Five, Injures Firefighters

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An attic fire that scorched the top portion of a duplex early Monday morning displaced five residents and injured two firefighters.

The Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 95 Greylock Terrace at about 3:30 p.m. Two firefighters were treated on the scene with minor injuries; there were no civilian injuries.

"Dispatch reported 911 caller attempted to extinguish a growing fire in their attic with an
extinguisher but were unsuccessful," the department reported.

The fire is currently under investigation but early findings point to a possible electrical issue.

The blaze was extinguished within one hour. Fire and smoke damage were contained to the attic and the second floor sustained water damage from attempts to douse the blaze.

Three engines, one car, and a tower truck responded while the Rapid Intervention Team was put on standby.



When Engine 5 and Car 2 arrived, they found smoke emanating from the 2 1/2 story, wood-
frame, two-family home. The E5 crew began extinguishing the growing attic fire using a hose line while the E3 crew secured the water supply to E5 and assisted with fire suppression.

E2 crew conducted a primary search of the building to ensure all occupants were accounted for and the Tower-1 crew ventilated the building and used salvage covers to lessen water damage to the occupants' belongings.

There are no current estimates for damage and the utilities were shut off until repairs are made. The Red Cross is assisting the five occupants with relocating during this time.

The PFD credited Pittsfield Police for assisting the evacuation efforts before they arrived.

From the outside, the home's two dormer attic windows are broken and there appears to be char inside. The structure dates to 1900


Tags: structure fire,   

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Berkshire Veterans Mark 50 Years Since Vietnam War End

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — County veterans gathered over the weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War's conclusion, recognizing the horrors that soldiers endured long after returning home.

Master of ceremonies Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra said when most Vietnam veterans returned, there were no tributes, recognition, speeches, parades, or even handshakes.

"For many of them, it was a horrible return home from Vietnam in a very chaotic time," he said to a crowd in Park Square on Saturday, National Vietnam Veterans Day.

The Vietnam War officially ended 50 years ago in May 1975. Fifty-two years ago, the last American troops departed Vietnam. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designated March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

"We're here to join together as a people, to honor the brave men and women who have stood in defense of our country and for all the countless men and women who are still serving in harm's way all around the world," Vaspra said.

He explained that this day provides the opportunity to pay special tribute to the many Americans who served in the war, the 58,281 names memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and to those who never received the recognition they deserve.

"It is time to say thank you and honor all Vietnam veterans," he said.

During his remarks, Vaspra explained that many veterans have been able to re-enter society, go to school, find a job, and raise a family, but their war experience never went away.

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