Great Barrington – A fire in the kitchen of Martin’s Restaurant late Thursday night (June 9) could have resulted in major damage to the two-story brick structure at the top of Railroad Street had the Great Barrington Fire Department not arrived quickly to douse the blaze.
Fire Chief Charles Burger reported that the Great Barrington Fire Department battled a one-alarm fire late last night that threatened to destroy the downtown landmark.
Fire fighters received a report of the fire a little after 11 p.m., he said, and were on the scene within five minutes.
Great Barrington Police Officer Chad Shimmon was on the scene discharging an extinguisher through an open window, which helped slow the fire growth. Once firefighters arrived the blaze was extinguished within ten minutes. Members of the fire department stayed on for close to an hour to check for extension and perform salvage operations.
The damage was concentrated in the kitchen area of Martin’s, although significant smoke damage did occur throughout the first floor restaurant.
A second floor apartment was searched to verify it was unoccupied, but it was relatively unharmed. “We were able to clean up and ventilate the apartment so the tenants could return that night,” Burger explained.
He also reported that the fire “originated in the kitchen of the restaurant.” The cause has still not been determined but he told the Edge that “it was not suspicious in nature.”
In addition to the 21 Great Barrington fire fighters who responded to the scene, the Lenox Fire Department’s Rapid Intervention Team, the Great Barrington Police, and a crew from National Grid all assisted the Great Barrington Fire Department.
The Fire Department’s quick response may have saved the popular restaurant from further damage, Burger noted. “As always in these situations, minutes count. When the call came in the fire was growing but we were able to arrive on the scene and stop it quickly.”
In a statement, Burger added that “I am proud of the quick work done by our department last night. I would also like to thank all the agencies who assisted us. We were able to save a downtown landmark in Great Barrington.”
On Friday morning Martin Lewis, longtime Martin’s owner and namesake of the premier breakfast spot, had already begun cleanup operations. Despite the unfortunate blow to his business, Lewis remained optimistic, saying, “we are trying to open again as soon as possible. I am hoping the insurance will let me start the repairs right away.” In the meantime, Martin’s will remain closed.
And he added, “I am just thankful no one was injured.”
As he spoke, his long time friend Robin Berthe of R.B.C. Construction swept up charred remains from the sidewalk.
