Pittsfield House Fire Kills 76-Year-Old Woman

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A Virginia Avenue resident died after being rescued from a late-night fire in her home, Pittsfield Fire Chief Thomas Sammons announced Sunday. The woman, 76, was the sole occupant of the single-family house at 7 Virginia Avenue.

Pittsfield firefighters responded to the scene just after 11:20 PM on Saturday following a report of flames. When crews arrived, they saw fire at the front of the building and immediately entered to attack the blaze and search for anyone inside.

Firefighters found the woman and pulled her from the burning home. Paramedics rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she later died. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

 

Extreme Conditions Challenged Firefighters

Crews battled the fire in brutal winter conditions. Temperatures had dropped below zero, and more than a foot of snow blanketed the ground. Despite these challenges, firefighters brought the blaze under control in roughly 30 minutes.

The Hinsdale Fire Department arrived to provide rehabilitation services, helping firefighters warm up and recover between rotations in the freezing conditions. Pittsfield crews remained at the scene into Sunday morning to complete overhaul work, the process of searching for hidden fire in walls, ceilings, and other concealed spaces, and to support the investigation.

Investigation Finds No Working Smoke Alarms

Multiple agencies are investigating the fire's origin and cause. The Pittsfield Fire Department and Pittsfield Police Department are working alongside State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office and State Police assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's office. The Department of Fire Services' Code Compliance and Enforcement Unit is providing additional support.

Investigators found no evidence suggesting the fire was intentionally set. Based on their examination of the scene, they believe it started in the living room at the front of the home.

Critically, investigators found no working smoke alarms in the house.

"This is the fourth fatal fire this year where our investigators found no working smoke alarms," State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said. The statistic is particularly alarming given that the year is only five weeks old.

What You Can Do Now

Smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Here's how to protect yourself and your loved ones:

Check your alarms today. Walk through every level of your home and test each smoke alarm by pressing the test button. If it doesn't beep loudly, replace the batteries or the entire unit.

Install alarms on every level. Massachusetts law requires smoke alarms on every habitable level of a home, including basements. Place them outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms for maximum protection.

Replace old alarms. Smoke alarms wear out after 10 years. Check the manufacture date on the back of each unit. If it's older than 10 years, replace it immediately.

Help older neighbors and family. Older adults face higher risks in fires. Check in with elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors to ensure their alarms work properly. Offer to help test or replace them.

Get free help. If you need assistance installing, maintaining, or replacing smoke alarms, contact your local fire department. Many departments offer free installation programs, especially for older adults and low-income residents.

"On behalf of the Pittsfield Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the woman's family and loved ones," Chief Sammons said. "This is a terrible loss for them and the community."