The police Detective Bureau is investigating the fire, described by some as an 'explosion.'
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A city man was seriously injured in what was described as an "explosion" in his State Road apartment.
The cause is unknown at this time and the incident is under investigation by North Adams Police and Fire and the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre said the individual was pulled out through the back window of a bedroom in his first-floor apartment with "significant burns to the lower extremities."
"He's been taken to the appropriate facility but at this time, we don't have any further information," the chief said.
The victim was reportedly taken to another hospital by medical helicopter from Berkshire Medical Center's North Adams campus.
The incident was reported as a structure fire at about 2:26 p.m. Lefebvre said there was a small amount of fire that was quickly snuffed when firefighters arrived.
The building at 1054 State Road has five apartments and is owned by David Chenail Sr. and Elaine M Chenail Trustees, according to city records.
The fire took place in the back of the apartment on the eastern side of the structure and was tightly contained to that area.
Lefebvre said there was no structural damage but there is heat and smoke damage that would prohibit the other tenants from staying in the building at least tonight.
"But it's definitely cleanable ... very, very little damage to the structure," he said.
State Road was closed from the line with Williamstown to Ashton Avenue for more than an hour because of fire hoses across the road. In addition to fire and police, Northern Berkshire EMS responded with three units.
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North Adams Schools Talk Final Budget Numbers for Public Hearing
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
The elementary schools will be phasing in a new math curriculum over the next two years.
The subcommittee is recommending the budget of $20,357,096, up $302,744 or 1.51 percent over this year. This was expected to be funded by $16,418,826 in state Chapter 70 education funds, local funding of $3,938,270 (up $100,000 over this year) and a drawdown of school funds of $575,237. This will also include the closure of Greylock School at the end of this year and the reduction of 26 full-time positions.
A hybrid public hearing on the budget will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 5:30 at Brayton School, with a vote by the School Committee to immediately follow.
The extra $100,000 from the city will likely not be part of this funding package, warned Mayor Jennifer Macksey, chair of the School Committee.
"Going through all my process on the city side, so to say, with the rest of my departments, it's going to be really hard for me to squeak out the additional $100,000," said the mayor, alluding to a budget gap of $600,000 to $800,000 for fiscal 2025 she's trying to close.
"I just want to be fully transparent with everyone sitting here, and as your School Committee chair, I don't know if the city budget is going to be able to squeak out that $100,000. That number will most likely change."
Director of School Finance and Operations Nancy Rauscher said the $100,000 had been a placeholder with administration understanding that it could change.
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The fate of the facility attached to Brayton School has been in limbo since the closure of the pool last year because of structural issues and the departure of the Berkshire Family YMCA in March.
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The School Committee will be presented next week with a $20 million spending plan for fiscal 2025 that includes closing Greylock School and a reduction of 26 full-time positions.
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