The Berkshire Eagle
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An early morning fire on Sunday at a multifamily home killed a woman, while several other people were rescued by firefighters.
Officials say 59-year-old Claudette Roberts died in the fire on Orchard Street that began shortly after 4 a.m. They say she was found dead inside the first-floor apartment of the multifamily home, while firefighters rescued several other people from the building.
Authorities say the fire does not appear suspicious, but Roberts’ body will be brought to the chief medical examiner’s office in Boston for an autopsy.
According to Deputy Chief Michael Polidoro, the woman died after being trapped in her burning apartment, but firefighters were able to get several other people who were in the three-family house to safety.
Polidoro said that when firefighters reached the scene, the first floor was engulfed in flames, while there was “heavy smoke” on the second floor. It took firefighters more than 90 minutes to contain the structure.
One family in the three-family building was not at home, while the other family was evacuated safely, said Polidoro. The woman was the sole occupant of the third apartment, he said.
One firefighter suffered a knee injury while fighting the blaze. He did not require treatment, said Polidoro.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the state fire marshall’s office is presently on the scene. In addition to units of the Pittsfield Fire Dept., officers from the Pittsfield Police Department and state troopers were also on the scene.
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