North Adams — A four-year-old child was killed in a structure fire at a duplex at 188-190 West Shaft Road on Tuesday, March 11.
According to a press release from Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Chief of Operations Julia Sabourin, the fire started at around 11:46 p.m.
Firefighters from the North Adams Fire Department responded to the fire and received mutual aid from the Clarksburg and Williamstown Fire Departments.
When the departments responded to the fire, the duplex structure was fully engulfed in flames.
Sabourin wrote in the press release that it took 90 minutes to knock down the bulk of the fire and that department members were still working on the scene as of this morning.
At the time of the fire, both sides of the duplex were occupied.
The four-year-old was killed in the duplex as it was on fire.
Two members of a family residing at the duplex, an adult and a minor, sustained serious injuries.
Four residents of the duplex exited the duplex unharmed, while one resident exited with minor injuries.
Another resident was located inside the duplex after firefighters responded to the blaze.
All residents were transported to North Adams Regional Hospital, while two residents who sustained serious injuries were flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene, along with local law enforcement and emergency personnel. An investigation is being conducted by the North Adams Fire Department, North Adams Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s office. They are assisted by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance and Enforcement Unit.
Sabourin wrote that more information will be issued by the office as it becomes available.
