By Tammy Daniels - December 29, 2008
iBerkshires Staff
Friday's fire on First Street taken by Linda Haas of Berkshire Studio
ADAMS, Mass. — After a major fire left at least six families homeless Friday night, local Elks 1335 offered their Center Street lodge as a drop-off point for donations on Saturday.
By Sunday evening, they had been inundated with piles of clothing, blankets, food and housewares — filling up two large rooms on the first floor.
"We've not even been open 12 hours," said Anne Kupiec. "This is phenomenal. This is really thanks to the town of Adams and the people of Adams."
The blaze had destroyed a six-unit apartment building on First Street, a narrow road accessed by steep streets along North Summer. Some 50 firefighters from surrounding towns battled the inferno, preventing it from spreading to other homes, including a 23-unit building only a yard away. The cause was reportedly a lit candle.
The residents lost everything in the fire, which occurred the day after Christmas.
Donations are piled up at the Elks Lodge in Adams
Melissa Martin, an officer in the lodge, said on Saturday that the lodge decided to do something because people were calling the fire and police departments looking for ways to help. The Red Cross chapter in Pittsfield had found places for many of the building's occupants to stay on Friday night but there was little information on what was needed and by whom.
The donations began pouring in after the Elks' offer was publicized by local media; much of it came in Sunday.
Both used and new winter clothing, toys, microwaves, small televisions, canned goods and bedding filled tables, counters and racks inside the lodge.
A couple of the tenement's residents had come for supplies but there's plenty left. "Some of the victims aren't going over there," said Andy Wrinn, director of disaster services for the Red Cross. "We're hoping that they will."
Wrinn said 15 people, mostly in their 20s and 30s, were living in the First Street building. There was some confusion about children being among the victims because the apartments next door had to be evacuated that night. There are children living in that building but they all should be home by now, he said. There was also confusion about who was in the building because some people had falsely claimed to the Red Cross and Salvation Army that they had been living there.
A few people are staying at Harrinton's; others, like owner Irene Lamarche, are staying with relatives. Wrinn expected their recovery to be ongoing as they sought out places to live. Little was salvaged from the apartment building, which had to be bulldozed for safety reasons.
Elks officers will continue to accept donations this week from 5 to 7 but say they have enough clothing and electronics. Nonperishable food, toiletries and small gift cards to Wal-Mart and supermarkets are preferred. Turn Hall is also planning a benefit in the next week or so.
The apartment building had to be razed for safety reasons. Scorching can be seen on the apartment house only a yard away.
The lodge will find places to donate the excess items, said Bernard Martin, another officer. "All of it will be put to good use ... It will be distributed to people who need it."
Meanwhile, any of the 15 residents of the destroyed building are welcome to pick up what they need at the Elks from 5 to 7 or by contacting the Martins at 413-743-4164 or the Kupiecs at 413-743-9813.
"This is what the Elks is all about," said Neil Kupiec, also an officer. "Being there for the community."
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Candle started Adams inferno
By Benning W. De La Mater, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Updated: 12/28/2008 09:59:03 AM EST
Sunday, December 28
ADAMS — Investigators determined that an unattended burning candle sparked an intense fire in Adams Friday night that destroyed an apartment building and left at least 15 people homeless.
Adams Fire Chief Stephen Brown said Adams Police and state police fire marshals determined that a resident on the first floor of the First Street residence left a candle burning near combustibles.
"It was an accidental fire," Brown said.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke on the first floor shortly after 6 p.m. By the time they evacuated the building, flames climbed to the second floor and quickly overtook the attic.
The entire structure collapsed by 7 p.m. Firefighters were on scene for at least 12 hours. A neighboring apartment building suffered some damage from the fire.
"We had to bring in an excavator to pull down the rest of the building to make sure it didn't pose a threat to the apartments next door," Brown said.
Both the Holiday Inn in North Adams and Harrington's Restaurant & Inn in Adams offered up rooms to the displaced families.
Harrington's owner Eric Harrington said their spirits were positive.
"Many of them lost everything they owned," he said. "But they're happy just to be alive."
Matthew Soha was staying with Irene Lamarche, the elderly woman who owned the building. He and some friends sifted through the rubble Saturday and found a few of
Advertisement
The American Red Cross
Lamarche's important ID cards and some family photos.
"She's having a tough time dealing with it," he said. "It's hard on all of us. I just lost my luggage, but a lot of people lost everything."
Melissa Martin, an officer of Adams Lodge of Elks, said her group is taking donations for the families. Calls have already been flooding into the headquarters and so have donations, including clothes and toys.
"We'll take anything, food, clothes, toys," she said. "We've been getting a lot of winter stuff, like coats, boots and gloves."
Those wishing to donate can contact Martin at (413) 652-1253 or Anne Kupiec (413) 822-7407 or drop items off at the Elks Club at 63 Center St. today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Updated: 12/28/2008 09:59:03 AM EST
Sunday, December 28
ADAMS — Investigators determined that an unattended burning candle sparked an intense fire in Adams Friday night that destroyed an apartment building and left at least 15 people homeless.
Adams Fire Chief Stephen Brown said Adams Police and state police fire marshals determined that a resident on the first floor of the First Street residence left a candle burning near combustibles.
"It was an accidental fire," Brown said.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke on the first floor shortly after 6 p.m. By the time they evacuated the building, flames climbed to the second floor and quickly overtook the attic.
The entire structure collapsed by 7 p.m. Firefighters were on scene for at least 12 hours. A neighboring apartment building suffered some damage from the fire.
"We had to bring in an excavator to pull down the rest of the building to make sure it didn't pose a threat to the apartments next door," Brown said.
Both the Holiday Inn in North Adams and Harrington's Restaurant & Inn in Adams offered up rooms to the displaced families.
Harrington's owner Eric Harrington said their spirits were positive.
"Many of them lost everything they owned," he said. "But they're happy just to be alive."
Matthew Soha was staying with Irene Lamarche, the elderly woman who owned the building. He and some friends sifted through the rubble Saturday and found a few of
Advertisement
The American Red Cross
Lamarche's important ID cards and some family photos.
"She's having a tough time dealing with it," he said. "It's hard on all of us. I just lost my luggage, but a lot of people lost everything."
Melissa Martin, an officer of Adams Lodge of Elks, said her group is taking donations for the families. Calls have already been flooding into the headquarters and so have donations, including clothes and toys.
"We'll take anything, food, clothes, toys," she said. "We've been getting a lot of winter stuff, like coats, boots and gloves."
Those wishing to donate can contact Martin at (413) 652-1253 or Anne Kupiec (413) 822-7407 or drop items off at the Elks Club at 63 Center St. today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Adams inferno displaces at least 10 residents
By Benning W. De La Mater, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Updated: 12/27/2008 03:00:52 AM EST
Slide Show of pictures of the First Street Fire by North Adams Transcript /Gillian Jones
Saturday, December 27
ADAMS — More than 50 volunteer firefighters worked in freezing temperatures under a night sky Friday battling a blaze that eventually consumed an apartment building on the eastern hill above town.
No one was hurt in the fire, but at least 10 residents — some children and senior citizens — were displaced, just 24 hours after many spent their day opening presents and reveling in Christmas fun inside their homes.
Adams Fire Chief Stephen Brown said when his department arrived on scene shortly after 6 p.m., firefighters encountered heavy smoke on the first floor of the 1920s-style apartment building on the corner of First and North streets.
They quickly evacuated the residents and began "an offensive."
"But we had several factors working against us," Brown said. "The fire got above us, and there's a common attic up there with a tin roof."
The fire spread to the second and third floors, forcing the firefighters to exit the building. Then the priority shifted to saving the apartment building next door, which sits just 3 feet away.
At least one apartment in the neighboring building suffered heat damage from the intense flames, which could be seen from downtown and along parts of Route 8.
Hundreds of residents walked up the steep streets to watch the blaze. Some snapped photos and recorded movies.
Firefighters from Savoy, Clarksburg, Hinsdale and Cheshire
The American Red Cross
assisted in the fight. Eventually, the fire consumed the building and collapsed the infrastructure.
Cindy White was at home next door when the fire broke out. She woke her husband, Dave, as firefighters were ushering residents out of the apartment complex.
"We looked out our window and that's when we saw it," she said. "There were kids that lived in there."
Brown estimated that between 10 and 15 residents were displaced. Red Cross volunteers arrived on the scene later in the night and assessed the situation.
The Holiday Inn in North Adams and Harrington's Restaurant & Inn in Adams offered rooms for the night to the displaced families.
To reach Benning W. De La Mater: bdelamater@berkshireeagle.com, (413) 496-6243.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...
O.NEW.KALY.WS.A.0013.081219T1300Z-081220T0900Z/ NORTHERN LITCHFIELD-SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD-NORTHERN BERKSHIRE- SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE-NORTHERN HERKIMER-HAMILTON-SOUTHERN HERKIMER- SOUTHERN FULTON-MONTGOMERY-NORTHERN SARATOGA-NORTHERN WARREN- NORTHERN WASHINGTON-SCHOHARIE-WESTERN SCHENECTADY- EASTERN SCHENECTADY-SOUTHERN SARATOGA-WESTERN ALBANY- EASTERN ALBANY-WESTERN RENSSELAER-EASTERN RENSSELAER- WESTERN GREENE-EASTERN GREENE-WESTERN COLUMBIA-EASTERN COLUMBIA- WESTERN ULSTER-EASTERN ULSTER-WESTERN DUTCHESS-EASTERN DUTCHESS- NORTHERN FULTON-SOUTHEAST WARREN-SOUTHERN WASHINGTON-BENNINGTON- WESTERN WINDHAM-EASTERN WINDHAM- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TORRINGTON...OAKVILLE...NEW MILFORD... TERRYVILLE...PITTSFIELD...NORTH ADAMS...GREAT BARRINGTON...LEE... LENOX...HOUSATONIC...ATWELL...BIG MOOSE...EAGLE BAY...MCKEEVER... NOBLEBORO...NORTHWOOD...OLD FORGE...SPECULATOR...ILION... HERKIMER...LITTLE FALLS...MOHAWK...FRANKFORT...DOLGEVILLE... GLOVERSVILLE...JOHNSTOWN...AMSTERDAM...WELLSVILLE... SARATOGA SPRINGS...WARRENSBURG...WHITEHALL...GRANVILLE... COBLESKILL...MIDDLEBURGH...DELANSON...ESPERANCE...DUANESBURG... SCHENECTADY...ROTTERDAM...BALLSTON SPA...MECHANICVILLE... WATERFORD...ALTAMONT...ALBANY...TROY...HOOSICK FALLS...HUNTER... TANNERSVILLE...WINDHAM...CATSKILL...COXSACKIE...ATHENS...CAIRO... JEFFERSON HEIGHTS...HUDSON...CHATHAM...SUNDOWN...ELLENVILLE... WOODSTOCK...WEST HURLEY...KERHONKSON...NAPANOCH...PHOENICIA... KINGSTON...NEW PALTZ...POUGHKEEPSIE...BEACON...ARLINGTON... PAWLING...DOVER PLAINS...MILLBROOK...PINE PLAINS...AMENIA... MILLERTON...NORTHVILLE...MAYFIELD...GLENS FALLS... WEST GLENS FALLS...HUDSON FALLS...FORT EDWARD...CAMBRIDGE... GREENWICH...BENNINGTON...JACKSONVILLE...NEWFANE...BRATTLEBORO... WEST BRATTLEBORO...BELLOWS FALLS 319 PM EST WED DEC 17 2008
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.
HEAVY SNOW MAY FALL ACROSS ALL OF EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK AND ADJACENT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ACROSS THE REGION ON FRIDAY BETWEEN SUNRISE AND MIDDAY...AND COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. LIGHT SNOW MAY PERSIST THROUGH THE REST OF FRIDAY NIGHT.
THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE 7 TO 14 INCHES OF SNOW ACROSS THE REGION. AT THIS POINT IT APPEARS THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL FALL ACROSS THE SCHOHARIE VALLEY...THE CAPITAL DISTRICT... EASTERN CATSKILLS...MID HUDSON VALLEY...SOUTHERN VERMONT...BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND LITCHFIELD COUNTY.
SNOW MAY FALL AT THE RATE OF ONE TO TWO INCHES PER HOUR FRIDAY AFTERNOON...WHICH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE FRIDAY EVENING COMMUTE.
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.
HEAVY SNOW MAY FALL ACROSS ALL OF EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK AND ADJACENT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ACROSS THE REGION ON FRIDAY BETWEEN SUNRISE AND MIDDAY...AND COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. LIGHT SNOW MAY PERSIST THROUGH THE REST OF FRIDAY NIGHT.
THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE 7 TO 14 INCHES OF SNOW ACROSS THE REGION. AT THIS POINT IT APPEARS THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL FALL ACROSS THE SCHOHARIE VALLEY...THE CAPITAL DISTRICT... EASTERN CATSKILLS...MID HUDSON VALLEY...SOUTHERN VERMONT...BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND LITCHFIELD COUNTY.
SNOW MAY FALL AT THE RATE OF ONE TO TWO INCHES PER HOUR FRIDAY AFTERNOON...WHICH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE FRIDAY EVENING COMMUTE.
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Storm's aftermath
Utility workers from throughout the Northeast converge on Berkshire County to repair power lines downed by last week's ice storm. This cluster of trucks rumbles Monday through North Street in Windsor.
Ben Garver / Berkshire Eagle Staff
By Trevor Jones and Kevin Moran, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Updated: 12/16/2008 02:59:57 AM EST
The ice is receding but the damage remains: One of the worst ice storms in decades has left thousands still without power, roads littered with splintered trees and downed power lines throughout the county's higher elevations.
"We've never seen this much damage in an ice storm," said John Tulloch, a Western Mass Electric Co., or WMECO, manager of customer operations for the Pittsfield district. "In some areas, there's more stuff down than there is in the air."
More than 6,700 mostly residential customers were still without power as of Monday, according to Tulloch. The power went out for those customers overnight Thursday when more than an inch of ice covered the hilltowns.
In lower elevations, the ice was a no-show — only rain fell in a swath from North Adams to the south of Great Barrington.
Since then, National Guardsmen have provided assistance clearing roads, residents have worked to assist with the cleanup, and utility crews from as far away as Virginia have arrived to repair power lines.
Tulloch did not have a specific time frame for power to return for most customers, but said the additional crews have helped make "some very good progress."
Tulloch said the clean-up has been particularly difficult because of the widespread damage and the lines needing to be reconnected one street at a time.
Many residents without power are trying to remain positive it will return
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
soon.
"You're afraid of what may happen," said Connie Wood of Windsor. "But you make do with what you have."
The only source of heat in Wood's home since Thursday has been a space heater plugged into a generator. Because people in Windsor are connected to wells that require electric pumps, Wood said the most difficult thing has been the lack of running water.
But others are concerned not enough is being done.
Tom Speckert, of Pittsfield Road in Hinsdale, has been staying at his daughters' home in Vermont since a fire from overuse of his fireplace left him unable to stay at his home. While his surrounding roads have regained power, his street remains dark, with power lines strewn across the pavement.
'That's not an act of God'
When a WMECO representative told him it was an "act of God" and his power could not be returned until Friday at the earliest, his response was: "That's not an act of God. That's an act of WMECO deciding not to fix our little side street because there is only 10 houses on it."
Peru Fire Chief Eric Autenrieth is also critical of WMECO, and told of problems he had trying to communicate with company officials about the storm damage to electric power in Peru. He also faulted the company for not responding early enough with adequate crews to cut and clear trees surrounding utility wires in town.
"They have not lived up to any of their agreements in terms of 'cut and clear' or calling us back within time frames," Autenrieth said.
Utility crews from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware arrived in Peru mid-morning Sunday, and they have been working hard since, Autenrieth said. However, he said a WMECO official finally returned his phone messages Sunday night, and that the official was not aware those crews had even arrived in town.
Praise for local response
"I understand 100 percent that this entire region got hit by the storm — don't get me wrong," Autenrieth said. "But instead of putting five trucks in one town, they could have spread them around."
Autenrieth praised the town's 14 volunteer firefighters, who have logged more than 500 hours since the storm hit, as well as the cooperation of local police and highway departments.
More than 20 utility poles snapped and 20 transformers were damaged throughout the town, he said late Monday afternoon, and that most of the men have used their personal vehicles and chain saws to clear felled trees from the roads.
"Our firefighters for the town of Peru have gone above and beyond what's expected of them," he said. "They are 100 percent volunteer and have been basically the backbone of this town during this whole mess."
All of the towns are working to help with emergency assistance in the form of food and water as well.
As of Monday afternoon, Becket had approximately 30 residents at the emergency shelter set up at Town Hall on Main Street, according to Ray Tarjick, the town's emergency management director.
If more people continue to arrive at the shelter, Becket officials are considering opening the local YMCA camp to accommodate them, Tarjick said.
In Savoy, where power may not be returned for some for another two to three weeks, the fire department and the Red Cross served more than 250 dinners to residents in need of assistance Monday night at the fire station.
"This has been an awesome community effort," said Billie Bushika, a Savoy Fire Department reserve, of the residents continuing effort to help clear debris. She said many at Monday's dinner were just happy to see a different face "It's kind of nice to have communication with the outside world," she said.
To reach Trevor Jones: tjones@berkshireeagle.com, or (413) 528-3660.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Storm hits hard in Berkshires, New England
Staff reports
Posted: 12/12/2008 12:32:44 PM EST
Dangerous flooding, icing and power outages have been reported throughout Berkshire County, closing or delaying at least nine local school systems.
As for road closings and power outages, "They're everywhere. All over the Berkshires," reported one dispatcher for the Berkshire County Sheriff's Communication Center.
State police from the Cheshire barracks reported that Route 2, Route 116 and Route 9 have been closed. Route 8A was reopened for traffic after 8 a.m. The governors of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine declared states of emergency Friday morning, and more than 1 million people in New England lost power, according to The Associated Press.
The town of Florida declared a state of emergency and opened a temporary shelter in the Florida Senior Center on Route 2. According to local officials, some people may be without power for several days. State police from the Lee barracks reported Route 23 closed from the 24.1 mile marker in Otis into Lee. Also, in Becket, Route 20 has been closed from the four corners area, from Bonnie Rigg Hill Road to Chesterfield. The main causes have been trees and wires down due to icing and flooding. Local media will be notified as these routes reopen.
Several incidents of roads flooding and debris have been reported, making for a challenging commute. Motorists are advised to take plenty of time and precaution during their drive.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the area until 4:15 p.m., and a flood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
watch for the Hoosic River in Williamstown, which had reached 8.4 feet by 5 a.m. today. The flood stage for the river is nine feet. Flooding was reported to Williamstown Police in the basement of the 1896 House Inn, and in the areas of Cold Spring, Green River and Bee Hill roads.
Pittsfield road floods include the areas of upper North Street and the Springside Avenue and Pine Street.
A large coastal storm has brought heavy precipitation to the region, which includes reports of rain and freezing rain. In Eastern Berkshire County, thunderstorms were reported in the area of Sandisfield, bringing some hail and wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour. The storm had a range of reaching Becket, East Windsor and as far as Savoy and Florida by 7:15 a.m.
At Berkshire County's outage peak this morning, according to a spokeswoman from the Western Massachusetts Electric Company close to 10,000 Berkshire County residents were without power. As of 11 a.m., that figure was down to 8,277.
"The Berkshires were one which was hit the hardest," said WMECO spokeswoman Lacey Girard. "Our customer operations manager for Berkshire County said he's never seen anything this bad, and he's been around for at least 30 years."
Complete outages were reported in Becket, Hancock, Otis, Peru, Sandisfield, Savoy, Washington and Windsor. Because of Hancock's outages, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is closed today.
Other towns and cities experiencing some power failure include Cheshire, Dalton, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Richmond and Tyringham.
More than 100,000 customers were without power between western and central Massachusetts, according to the Associated Press.
Icy conditions were particularly bad in central Massachusetts.
"This is a really extreme situation we are experiencing," Jackie Barry, a spokeswoman for National Grid, told The Associated Press. The company had about 100,000 electric customers without power as of 5 a.m., mostly in the Worcester area and Merrimack Valley.
For today, an ice storm warning is in effect until 1 p.m., by the National Weather Service. Precipitation accumulations are expected to be between a half to two-and-a-half inches. Temperatures will continue to fall to about 23 degrees by 5 p.m.
Tonight's forecast is cloudy with a low around 10 degrees. Tomorrow should be sunny with a high of 21. However the wind chill factor for tonight and tomorrow could feel as cold as minus 3 degrees.
Posted: 12/12/2008 12:32:44 PM EST
Dangerous flooding, icing and power outages have been reported throughout Berkshire County, closing or delaying at least nine local school systems.
As for road closings and power outages, "They're everywhere. All over the Berkshires," reported one dispatcher for the Berkshire County Sheriff's Communication Center.
State police from the Cheshire barracks reported that Route 2, Route 116 and Route 9 have been closed. Route 8A was reopened for traffic after 8 a.m. The governors of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine declared states of emergency Friday morning, and more than 1 million people in New England lost power, according to The Associated Press.
The town of Florida declared a state of emergency and opened a temporary shelter in the Florida Senior Center on Route 2. According to local officials, some people may be without power for several days. State police from the Lee barracks reported Route 23 closed from the 24.1 mile marker in Otis into Lee. Also, in Becket, Route 20 has been closed from the four corners area, from Bonnie Rigg Hill Road to Chesterfield. The main causes have been trees and wires down due to icing and flooding. Local media will be notified as these routes reopen.
Several incidents of roads flooding and debris have been reported, making for a challenging commute. Motorists are advised to take plenty of time and precaution during their drive.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the area until 4:15 p.m., and a flood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
watch for the Hoosic River in Williamstown, which had reached 8.4 feet by 5 a.m. today. The flood stage for the river is nine feet. Flooding was reported to Williamstown Police in the basement of the 1896 House Inn, and in the areas of Cold Spring, Green River and Bee Hill roads.
Pittsfield road floods include the areas of upper North Street and the Springside Avenue and Pine Street.
A large coastal storm has brought heavy precipitation to the region, which includes reports of rain and freezing rain. In Eastern Berkshire County, thunderstorms were reported in the area of Sandisfield, bringing some hail and wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour. The storm had a range of reaching Becket, East Windsor and as far as Savoy and Florida by 7:15 a.m.
At Berkshire County's outage peak this morning, according to a spokeswoman from the Western Massachusetts Electric Company close to 10,000 Berkshire County residents were without power. As of 11 a.m., that figure was down to 8,277.
"The Berkshires were one which was hit the hardest," said WMECO spokeswoman Lacey Girard. "Our customer operations manager for Berkshire County said he's never seen anything this bad, and he's been around for at least 30 years."
Complete outages were reported in Becket, Hancock, Otis, Peru, Sandisfield, Savoy, Washington and Windsor. Because of Hancock's outages, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is closed today.
Other towns and cities experiencing some power failure include Cheshire, Dalton, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Richmond and Tyringham.
More than 100,000 customers were without power between western and central Massachusetts, according to the Associated Press.
Icy conditions were particularly bad in central Massachusetts.
"This is a really extreme situation we are experiencing," Jackie Barry, a spokeswoman for National Grid, told The Associated Press. The company had about 100,000 electric customers without power as of 5 a.m., mostly in the Worcester area and Merrimack Valley.
For today, an ice storm warning is in effect until 1 p.m., by the National Weather Service. Precipitation accumulations are expected to be between a half to two-and-a-half inches. Temperatures will continue to fall to about 23 degrees by 5 p.m.
Tonight's forecast is cloudy with a low around 10 degrees. Tomorrow should be sunny with a high of 21. However the wind chill factor for tonight and tomorrow could feel as cold as minus 3 degrees.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Dozens of animals die in fire
By Ryan Hutton and Gillian Jones, North Adams Transcript
Posted: 12/09/2008 10:07:07 AM EST
Tuesday, December 9
CHESHIRE -- A three alarm fire fueled by raging winds claimed the live of dozens of animals, destroyed a barn and severely damaged two others early Monday morning on Wells Road.
The former Toporowski Dairy Farm at 1141 Wells Road burst into flames sometime around 2 a.m. and was soon fully engulfed. The Cheshire Fire Department got the call at 2:11 a.m. and by the time Fire Chief Tom Francesconi arrived on the scene two minutes later, he said the main barn was already almost gone.
"There were three buildings involved. A main wooden barn structure, a metal barn and a milk house," he said. "The fire appeared to have originated in the main barn and by the time I got there it was already 75 percent burnt. It was going pretty good.
"The metal barn and the milk house were involved but on the inside, we managed to save both of those. There's massive interior damage but they're still standing."
There is also a two-story home on the property that escaped major damage, but Francesconi said that by the time he arrived the siding was already buckling from the heat.
Terry Drain said she was in the process of renovating the farm to live there, although she was not on the property at the time of the blaze. She said her father had actually grown up on the farm and it holds much sentimental value to her family.
"I always wanted to live here and I wanted to keep the original character," Drain said.
Fire departments from Cheshire, Adams and Savoy had to battle not only the fire, but also the elements, as winds picked up and the mercury fell.
"The weather conditions were horrible," Francesconi said. "The wind was blowing probably 40 to 50 miles per hour right across where we needed to set up because there were just open fields nearby. The wind was just ripping right through there and with the wind chill we were probably looking at 20 degrees below zero."
The sub-zero temperatures also fouled the fire fighter's equipment, making getting the fire under control much more difficult.
"We ran into trouble with our pumps freezing, it was so cold," Francesconi said. "Some of our nozzles even froze, the pumps froze, not to mention the fire fighters that were covered from head to toe in ice."
The fire was extinguished by 6:05 a.m. and the cause is still under investigation by Francesconi and state Fire Marshall David Percy.
The barn was full of animals at the time of the fire, but none of them escaped. In all, three chickens, a rooster and 16 goats were killed.
"It's so devastating," Drain said. "I was hoping the animals got out, but none of them did."
In addition to the animals that perished, a tractor valued at $30,000, a log splitter, antiques and kayaks were also lost in the blaze.
Because there was no one living on the property, it was not insured.
"There are no words for what happened," Drain said.
Posted: 12/09/2008 10:07:07 AM EST
Tuesday, December 9
CHESHIRE -- A three alarm fire fueled by raging winds claimed the live of dozens of animals, destroyed a barn and severely damaged two others early Monday morning on Wells Road.
The former Toporowski Dairy Farm at 1141 Wells Road burst into flames sometime around 2 a.m. and was soon fully engulfed. The Cheshire Fire Department got the call at 2:11 a.m. and by the time Fire Chief Tom Francesconi arrived on the scene two minutes later, he said the main barn was already almost gone.
"There were three buildings involved. A main wooden barn structure, a metal barn and a milk house," he said. "The fire appeared to have originated in the main barn and by the time I got there it was already 75 percent burnt. It was going pretty good.
"The metal barn and the milk house were involved but on the inside, we managed to save both of those. There's massive interior damage but they're still standing."
There is also a two-story home on the property that escaped major damage, but Francesconi said that by the time he arrived the siding was already buckling from the heat.
Terry Drain said she was in the process of renovating the farm to live there, although she was not on the property at the time of the blaze. She said her father had actually grown up on the farm and it holds much sentimental value to her family.
"I always wanted to live here and I wanted to keep the original character," Drain said.
Fire departments from Cheshire, Adams and Savoy had to battle not only the fire, but also the elements, as winds picked up and the mercury fell.
"The weather conditions were horrible," Francesconi said. "The wind was blowing probably 40 to 50 miles per hour right across where we needed to set up because there were just open fields nearby. The wind was just ripping right through there and with the wind chill we were probably looking at 20 degrees below zero."
The sub-zero temperatures also fouled the fire fighter's equipment, making getting the fire under control much more difficult.
"We ran into trouble with our pumps freezing, it was so cold," Francesconi said. "Some of our nozzles even froze, the pumps froze, not to mention the fire fighters that were covered from head to toe in ice."
The fire was extinguished by 6:05 a.m. and the cause is still under investigation by Francesconi and state Fire Marshall David Percy.
The barn was full of animals at the time of the fire, but none of them escaped. In all, three chickens, a rooster and 16 goats were killed.
"It's so devastating," Drain said. "I was hoping the animals got out, but none of them did."
In addition to the animals that perished, a tractor valued at $30,000, a log splitter, antiques and kayaks were also lost in the blaze.
Because there was no one living on the property, it was not insured.
"There are no words for what happened," Drain said.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Worcester Firefighters' Remembrance Wall Unveiled
The memorial honors the six firefighters killed while fighting a fire at the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse in 1999.
WBZ
Reporting
Ron Sanders
Watch Video
WORCESTER (WBZ) ― The unveiling of the Remembrance Wall and memorial sculpture honoring the six Worcester firefighters who died nine years ago tonight brought hundreds of firefighters, families and friends to spot where it happened.
Brian Hanlon is the sculptor whose work pays tribute to the Worcester 6: Paul Brotherton, Joseph McGuirk, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, James Lyons and Thomas Spencer.
They died there heroically searching for two homeless people believed to be inside the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse, but who'd escaped unbeknownst to firefighters. "To say the least, I'm overwhelmed today. I feel the weight of responsibility of making something that is fitting for the firefighters and fitting for the families," said Hanlon who was also commissioned for the Bob Cousy statue at The College of the Holy Cross.
The families cut the ribbon last month for the new fire station that stands behind the Remembrance Wall. Denise Brotherton, widow of one of the Worcester 6, said the moment was, "very bittersweet, very bittersweet. I spent eight days down here in the dead of winter waiting, waiting for word, just hoping Paul would be found. Ultimately, we got the worst news and now I think it's great that they've taken over the property and turned it into something positive."
Special Operations Chief Frank Diliddo said, "and we will go forward from here, being able to look at a tangible item, remembering them and bring other people here to say, 'this is what we mean when we say sacrifice, duty, honor. This is what our men did."
No tax dollars paid for the memorial, only funds raised only by firefighters including those who paid to take part in safety seminars begun after the Worcester Warehouse fire.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)