'C' Group holds high-rise fire to single apartment

On Wednesday, January 5th at 7:20PM, firefighters were dispatched for a reported structure fire at the Berkshire Town Apartments at 176 Columbus Avenue, located just west of PFD Headquarters. First arrving firefighters on Engine 3, led by Captain Michael Polidoro and Deputy Chief Keith Phillips, learned the location of the fire to be on the seventh floor. Firefighters made their way to the seventh floor, finding several residents gathered in the elevator lobby waiting to be taken down. Fire doors successfully contained the smoke to the north end of the building. The fire apartment was located and fire attack was initiated immediately. A second alarm was quickly struck, bringing all on-duty personnel to the scene. Firefighters from Tower 1 quickly began positive pressure venitilation of the building while Engine 5 provided backup to Engine 3 and began a primary search of the fire apartment and adjacent apartments. Overhaul was conducted immediately following fire extinguishment, with the fire being held to the one apartment.
 
One tenant was injured when struck by a hoseline being stretched on the fire floor, while no firefighters suffered injuries. WMECO and Berkshire Gas were called to the scene to secure utilities. Fire Investigator Matt Packard determined the cause to be from careless cooking on the stove. The apartment suffered moderate fire and heavy smoke damage, valued at $30,000.