Fire, ice combine to make rough night Blaze breaks out during beginning of storm

By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Updated: 01/18/2010 06:27:59 AM EST


HANCOCK -- A house fire along Route 20 kept several local fire departments busy late Sunday afternoon, just as the latest winter storm began dumping mixed precipitation on the Berkshires.
Hancock firefighters were called to the William Gross residence at 227 Lebanon Mountain Road around 5 p.m., just west of the Richmond Road intersection. Local fire officials immediately requested mutual aid with Richmond and Hinsdale responding to help battle the blaze.

How the fire started and the damage it caused were unknown late Sunday night, as fire investigators were still at the scene. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

State police detoured the Route 20 traffic from both directions around the scene due to the fire and the slippery road conditions. Snow and sleet began to fall just as the fire broke out and authorities wanted to avoid accidents involving non-emergency vehicles.

Road mishaps elsewhere

Nevertheless, police elsewhere in Berkshire County reported several minor car accidents Sunday evening from the wintry mix of precipitation on area roads and side streets. Local and state highway crews were out salting and sanding for several hours and were expected back on the job this morning.

The National Weather Service called for a few inches of snow and sleet overnight changing to a mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet as temperatures rise into the mid and upper 30s today. Forecasters expected the precipitation to taper off to a mix



of rain and snow showers by tonight.
To reach Dick Lindsay:
rlindsay@berkshireeagle.com,
or (413) 496-6233.