Careless smoking leads to double alarm blaze on Grove St

Firefighters on C Group were alerted to a small porch fire at 54-60 Grove St at 5:25 P.M. yesterday that grew into a double alarm blaze. Dispatchers were initially advised that a chair on the front porch of the four family building was on fire and that smoke blowing into the building alerted occupants. By the time first arriving companies, led by Deputy Chief Keith Phillips, arrived on scene, the fire had consumed the entire front of the building and was quickly spreading into the attic via the eves. High winds helped fuel the fire, which eventually took over the entire attic space and burned through the roof. 

Following a primary search of the building and knockdown of the fire on the front porches, multiple handlines were stretched into the building from the rear in an attempt to push the fire back out the front. But by the time firefighters reached the main body of fire in the attic, it was too late. Fire was already visible through the roof, which was in danger of collapsing, and conditions for firefighters inside were degrading quickly. All units were ordered out of the building and an attack of the fire was made from outside using several ground monitors and Tower 1. Around 7:00 P.M., the roof collapsed, seen in the picture at left. The fire was eventually brought under control and firefighters were able to access the attic area to look for and quell any remaining hot spots. All units were back in service by 10:45 P.M.

The Red Cross was notified and made arrangements with all families involved. Western Mass Electric and Berkshire Gas responded early on to secure utilities, as all service lines to the building burned away, leaving live power lines on the ground. A total of 18 firefighters fought the fire, with an additional 10 off-duty firefighters called in to cover the City with aid from Lenox Engine 3. No injuries were reported, though some of the residents may have suffered minor smoke inhalation prior to exiting the building. The cause of the fire was discovered to be from poorly discarded smoking materials on the front porch.

Careless smoking leads to porch fire on Third St

On Friday, March 18th at 10:20 P.M., firefighters were called to 88 Third St for a reported fire on the porch. Firefighters found fire consuming the rear porch and extending up the side of the home and quickly extinguished it. The fire was contained to the exterior of the structure and all occupants were allowed to return home. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was from improper disposal of a cigarette.

Fire held to attic of Hillside Ave residence

On Tuesday, March 15th, at 2:44 P.M., B group firefighters were dispatched to 19 Hillside Ave for a reported attic fire. First arriving units, led by Deputy Chief Bruce Kilmer, found light smoke coming from the attic window. Engine 3 made entry into the home and found a small fire in the corner of the attic and quickly extinguished it with a handline. Engine 5, Engine 1 and Tower 1 assisted at the scene. The fire, found to be caused from old knob and tube wiring, resulted in minor fire and water damage contained to the attic area. The power company responded to terminate power to the building as did the City Wiring and Building Inspectors to inspect the remainder of the building which was deemed inhabitable. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Firefighters hold fire to garage, save remainder of home

Homeowners were alerted to fire in their garage at 6:50AM on March 5th by their barking dog and all escaped unharmed. The fire, located at 9 Lanark Avenue, had started in the garage and was quickly spreading into the breezeway and the kitchen and attic of the house. The fire department was quickly alerted and responded with a full assignment. First arriving firefighters from D Group, led by Deputy Mark Cancilla, found heavy fire coming from the garage, where the roof had already collapsed. Firefighters made quick work of stretching lines into the main house and holding the fire to the breezeway and saving the remainder of the home. Water supply became an issue early on due to extremely low water flow from nearby hydrants.The damage to the home was estimated at $100,000 and included a car and a Harley Davidson motorcycle in the garage. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was found to be from overloaded extension cords in the

garage.