Press Release  One Person Deceased, Two Seriously Injured, in North Adams House Fire

NORTH ADAMS — A fire in a two-family home had claimed the life of one resident and injured two people seriously, said North Adams Fire Chief Brent M. Lefebvre, North Adams Police Chief Mark Bailey, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, and Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue.

“On behalf of the North Adams Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family that lost a loved one and their home,” said Chief Lefebvre. “This is a terrible loss for them and our community.”

The North Adams Fire Department responded to 188 West Shaft Road for a report of a possible fire just after 11:30 last night. On arrival, firefighters found a two-story, two-family home fully involved with fire.

Five occupants were outside, including two with serious injuries. Firefighters were informed that one resident was unaccounted for; tragically, that person was located deceased inside. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a formal identification procedure and determine the cause and manner of death.

North Adams firefighters attacked the blaze with mutual aid from Clarksburg and Williamstown. It took about an hour and a half to knock down the bulk of the fire and personnel were still working at the scene well into the morning.

The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the North Adams Fire Department, North Adams Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s office. They are assisted by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit. 

###