Church in ruins; parishioners stunned
Updated: Monday, 18 Jan 2010, 7:30 AM EST
Published : Sunday, 17 Jan 2010, 6:53 AM EST
Elysia Rodriguez
CUMMINGTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A historic church in Hampshire County burned to the ground leaving its worshippers in shock. At this point, the fire isn't considered suspicious.
It stood for nearly two centuries, but early Sunday morning a fire left the West Cummington Congregational Church in ruins.
Members who normally head from all over the hill towns for services here every Sunday arrived to find their beloved church on fire.
"The church was gone. All you could see was smoke and water," said Hal Fales, a deacon at the church.
The congregation gathered inside the church's parish house, which thankfully was not attached to the church. They plan on holding services there for the meantime.
Bobby-Ann Higgins started the Sunday school program and watched her children grow up in the church. Higgins clutched a painting her mother made of the church, a place full of memories, that members hope will not fade.
Martin Pixley was baptized in the chuch and renewed his vows to his wife just a short time before she passed away from cancer. He even remarried in the church.
"I mean that church was a piece of our America," said Pixley.
Sunday morning's fire left nothing but the shell of the church remaining. The state's fire marshall has been called in to investigate. Cummington's Fire Chief Bernard Forgea told 22News they aren't taking chances.
"With what happened the last month, with the Northampton incident, that there be some sort of connection or nexus. It only takes one fire to paralyze the hilltowns," said Chief Forgea.
But like any small town, these faithful say it is only a matter of time before they rebuild.
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/Cummington-church-destroyed-by-fireCummington-church-destroyed-by-fire WWLP 22
Monday, January 18, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Village Ambulance launches ‘exploring’ program for teens
Posted: 01/09/2010 12:28:57 AM EST
By Meghan Foley
North Adams Transcript
WILLIAMSTOWN -- Village Ambulance Service hopes to offer a new program geared toward teenagers interested in the field of emergency medicine beginning next month.
Through the Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life Program, Village Ambulance is offering an "exploring" program to teach people between the ages of 14 and 20 about emergency medicine and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.
Shawn P. Godfrey, operations manager for Village Ambulance, said Thursday that as part of the program students will receive training similar to an emergency medical technician, but over a longer period of time.
"We’ve talked about recruitment and retention and have an EMT program. We thought, ‘what a good way to introduce the younger generations into the fields.’ We thought this was one other avenue we could take to recruiting people and introducing the service to the community," he said.
Students participating in the program will meet monthly for two hours, and during that time, there will be training sessions on first aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens, defibrillation and other areas of emergency medicine, he said.
In addition, the program will teach them how to become good young adults, he said.
"We’re going to have guest speakers come in and focus on those particular components and have people come in and educate along those lines. We’re
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looking at ways to do that," he said.
In offering an exploring program, Village Ambulance has been assigned a post number -- EMS Explorer Post 911.
The program is open to both boys and girls living locally and throughout Berkshire County who have completed the eighth grade, and Village hopes to start the program in the first week of February, Godfrey said.
Students can participate in the program for as long as they want, and will have to pay yearly dues of $20 per person and buy their own uniforms, he said.
The program will be paid for through dues and fundraising, he said.
"There is a lot of potential for us. [The students] could ride on the ambulance, become an EMT and eventually work for us," he said.
While Village Ambulance is still working out the final details of the program, Godfrey sees it eventually connecting with other emergency medical services exploring programs across the state.
"We could potentially take field trips to other ambulance services and combine forces with them," he said.
To reach Meghan Foley, e-mail mfoley@thetranscript.com.
By Meghan Foley
North Adams Transcript
WILLIAMSTOWN -- Village Ambulance Service hopes to offer a new program geared toward teenagers interested in the field of emergency medicine beginning next month.
Through the Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life Program, Village Ambulance is offering an "exploring" program to teach people between the ages of 14 and 20 about emergency medicine and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.
Shawn P. Godfrey, operations manager for Village Ambulance, said Thursday that as part of the program students will receive training similar to an emergency medical technician, but over a longer period of time.
"We’ve talked about recruitment and retention and have an EMT program. We thought, ‘what a good way to introduce the younger generations into the fields.’ We thought this was one other avenue we could take to recruiting people and introducing the service to the community," he said.
Students participating in the program will meet monthly for two hours, and during that time, there will be training sessions on first aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens, defibrillation and other areas of emergency medicine, he said.
In addition, the program will teach them how to become good young adults, he said.
"We’re going to have guest speakers come in and focus on those particular components and have people come in and educate along those lines. We’re
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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looking at ways to do that," he said.
In offering an exploring program, Village Ambulance has been assigned a post number -- EMS Explorer Post 911.
The program is open to both boys and girls living locally and throughout Berkshire County who have completed the eighth grade, and Village hopes to start the program in the first week of February, Godfrey said.
Students can participate in the program for as long as they want, and will have to pay yearly dues of $20 per person and buy their own uniforms, he said.
The program will be paid for through dues and fundraising, he said.
"There is a lot of potential for us. [The students] could ride on the ambulance, become an EMT and eventually work for us," he said.
While Village Ambulance is still working out the final details of the program, Godfrey sees it eventually connecting with other emergency medical services exploring programs across the state.
"We could potentially take field trips to other ambulance services and combine forces with them," he said.
To reach Meghan Foley, e-mail mfoley@thetranscript.com.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Fire leaves family of four homeless
By Benning W. De La Mater
Updated: 12/22/2009 11:44:59 PM EST
Berkshire Eagle Staff
LENOX -- A family of four is homeless after an intense fire ripped through their two-story house early Monday morning.
Lenox Deputy Fire Chief Christopher O’Brien said Michael and Kathleen Cleary heard noises in the attic of their home at 15 Bracelan Court at around 12:45 a.m. Monday.
When they went to investigate, they discovered smoke, called firefighters and exited the home. The fire engulfed the attic within minutes and punched a hole in the roof.
"The flames were coming out around the chimney by the time we arrived," O’Brien said.
Nearly 30 volunteer firefighters fought the blaze in freezing temperatures and strong winds. It took about an hour to put down the flames. No one was hurt.
The couple’s two children were away at college at the time of the fire and were due back home Monday afternoon. The American Red Cross of Berkshire County provided assistance to the family, including a hotel room.
An investigation by Lenox firefighters and a member of the state fire marshal’s office determined that the fire was due to a malfunction of the fireplace, wood stove or oil burner in an area close to the chimney.
The fire destroyed the roof and caused extensive damage to the first and second floors. O’Brien said a dollar amount had yet to be assigned to the damage, although he believes some portion of the home may be salvageable. House prices range between $300,000 to $600,000
in that neighborhood.
"It’s terrible to see this kind of thing anytime but it’s especially heartbreaking during the holidays," O’Brien said.
To reach Benning W. De La Mater:
bdelamater@berkshireeagle.com,
(413) 496-6243.
Updated: 12/22/2009 11:44:59 PM EST
Berkshire Eagle Staff
LENOX -- A family of four is homeless after an intense fire ripped through their two-story house early Monday morning.
Lenox Deputy Fire Chief Christopher O’Brien said Michael and Kathleen Cleary heard noises in the attic of their home at 15 Bracelan Court at around 12:45 a.m. Monday.
When they went to investigate, they discovered smoke, called firefighters and exited the home. The fire engulfed the attic within minutes and punched a hole in the roof.
"The flames were coming out around the chimney by the time we arrived," O’Brien said.
Nearly 30 volunteer firefighters fought the blaze in freezing temperatures and strong winds. It took about an hour to put down the flames. No one was hurt.
The couple’s two children were away at college at the time of the fire and were due back home Monday afternoon. The American Red Cross of Berkshire County provided assistance to the family, including a hotel room.
An investigation by Lenox firefighters and a member of the state fire marshal’s office determined that the fire was due to a malfunction of the fireplace, wood stove or oil burner in an area close to the chimney.
The fire destroyed the roof and caused extensive damage to the first and second floors. O’Brien said a dollar amount had yet to be assigned to the damage, although he believes some portion of the home may be salvageable. House prices range between $300,000 to $600,000
in that neighborhood.
"It’s terrible to see this kind of thing anytime but it’s especially heartbreaking during the holidays," O’Brien said.
To reach Benning W. De La Mater:
bdelamater@berkshireeagle.com,
(413) 496-6243.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Family homeless after Clarksburg fire
Family homeless after Clarksburg fire
By Meghan Foley
Posted: 12/21/2009 02:39:54 AM EST
CLARKSBURG -- A local family was left homeless after their home was heavily damaged by fire Sunday evening.
Firefighters with the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company were called to 38 Wheeler Ave. around 6:30 p.m., and upon arrival, found flames coming out of the attic of the single-family home owned by Keith and Barbara Worthington.
Keith Bush, safety officer for the fire company, said the fire was initially knocked down within a half hour, but the attic, roof and roof eves on the east and west sides of the house are gone.
"The rest of the house mostly sustained water damage," he said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the family of four is reportedly staying with friends.
Bush said the home is definitely unlivable and will probably be condemned until the homeowners can make repairs.
Clarksburg firefighters were assisted by members of the North Adams and Stamford, Vt., fire departments.
Bush, who lives two houses down the street from the Worthingtons, was the first on the scene after one of the Worthingtons' sons called him on his cell phone.
"I was eating dinner. He said to me, 'we have a fire,' " Bush said.
He said when he got to the house, he could see flames coming out of the west side of the attic, and he then went inside to make sure the family had gotten out.
"They were trying to put out the fire with pails of water," he said.
He said he then helped the
family, whom he has known for 20 years, evacuate the house.
The below freezing temperatures and the location of the fire made it challenging for firefighters battling the blaze.
While water lines didn't freeze, the water rushing down the hill of Wheeler Avenue did.
"Everything was icing up on us. We had to keep throwing sand under guys' feet," Bush said.
In addition, it was difficult to position the pumper trucks and other equipment on the hill, he said.
To reach Meghan Foley, e-mail mfoley@thetranscript.com.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Historic Egremont Inn destroyed by fire
Firefighters from nearly a dozen surrounding communities are battling a fire at the historic Egremont Inn Friday morning. There are reports that the building has partially collapsed. Photo courtesy of Andy Balise
(Courtesy of WWLP 22 Springfield,MA)
Historic Egremont Inn destroyed by fire
Firefighters from Mass, NY, Conn. battle blaze
Updated: Friday, 11 Dec 2009, 12:35 PM EST
Published : Friday, 11 Dec 2009, 6:10 AM EST
Jennifer Colby
Firefighters from nearly a dozen communities in Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut battled a five-alarm fire at the historic Egremont Inn on Friday morning. Residents woke up in shock to find out that the 250-year-old building was burning to the ground.
Fire crews were first called to fire at 10 Old Sheffield Road around 5 a.m. on Friday and by the time they arrived the three-story, wooden building was fully engulfed in flames.
When a 22News crew arrived on scene, flames could be seen shooting from the roof and part of the building had already collapsed.
The Egremont Inn is over 250 years old and grew from a tavern during the American Revolutionary War.
"It's an incredibly old structure. It was stage coach stop back many, many years ago. To lose something so beautiful and to lose all the history and the antiques and everything. It just saddens everybody who looks at it. It's going to sadden us for years to come. You can't bring anything like this back," said Egremont Select Board Chairman Bruce Cumsky.
Egremont Police Chief Reena Bucknell told 22News that firefighters had a tough time battling the blaze because the water kept freezing.
Chief Bucknell said it is too early to comment on the cause of the fire, but said the State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate. There were no reports of any injuries
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