Great Barrington — No one was hurt at a garage fire at 250 Long Pond Road on Monday, Oct. 16.
According to a press release issued by the town’s Fire Department, the fire took place at 9:22 p.m.
Deputy Chief James Mead reported that he could see a glow in the sky while traveling to the fire. He subsequently requested a first alarm and a tanker task force.
When Mead arrived, he found a heavy fire that completely involved the structure at the end of an approximately one-fourth-mile narrow and winding driveway.
According to the Fire Department, the property was being used as an Airbnb.
The town’s property database lists that the owner of the property is Kenneth Alpart, who lives in Tenafly, N.J.
According to Health Inspector Stephen Browning, Alpart has not registered the property in the town’s short-term rental database.
The Fire Department’s Engine 3 arrived at the scene and deployed a 2 1/2-inch line that knocked down flames, while the Department’s Engines 2 and 4 supplemented Engine 3 with water tankers until tankers from Egremont and Monterey arrived.
The fire was under control within 20 minutes, while scene preservation and cooling lasted for two hours as the state’s Fire Marshal arrived at the scene.
The garage was reported as a total loss, with damage reported to three vehicles that were parked outside. A cause for the fire was not listed in the Fire Department’s press release.
The property has had a conflict-ridden history, as reported by Sheela Clary back in June 2021.
