‘Intentionally-set’ Curtis fire causes $500,000 in damage
LENOX – The Thursday night fire at the Curtis was “intentionally-set,” according to a recent statement from fire officials.
A press statement released by Jennifer Mieth, public information officer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, states: The fire was intentionally-set. Law enforcement is aware of the location of the person who set the fire, and the public is not in danger.”
No information on the identity of the person who allegedly set the fire, or the motivations for the act, have been discovered at this time.
The statement further indicates the fire caused $500,000 of damage to the building, and around 59 people and several businesses were displaced.
The fire broke out at the Curtis building in the center of Lenox around 7:15 p.m. Thursday.
The incident required 48 people to be evacuated from their apartments by Lenox firemen on Thursday night.
Injuries
One person was treated at the scene before being taken away in an ambulance. According to the department of fire services release, she was taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and then flown to University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.
She is in critical condition as of late Friday afternoon, and there has been no other word on her status or the nature and extent of her injuries.
“The person that we took out of [apartment] 209 we performed CPR and transported to the hospital. I’ve been informed that they were able to get pulses back,” said Lenox Fire Chief Daniel “Dan” Clifford said Thursday night.
In addition to that woman, there was one other civilian injury, and a firefighter was taken to the hospital for non-fire-related reasons.
After the fire, which started on the second floor, was extinguished, residents gathered at Lenox Town Hall, and town officials helped find them housing.
“For now, we cannot let you back in the building,” Chief Clifford told the residents when he addressed them.
The chief explained that anyone who needed housing would be assisted by the American Red Cross and some may stay in the high school.
Many residents requested to re-enter the building for medications, but due to damage, they cannot. The fire department is working with Lenox Village Integrative Pharmacy to get them new medicine.
The fire department, which is located across the street from the Curtis Hotel, were dispatched at 7:15 p.m. in response to a fire alarm being activated.
Lenox responded with three engines, a ladder truck and an ambulance. They also received mutual aid from the towns of Lee and Stockbridge.
Lee provided Lenox with an engine and a ladder truck, while Stockbridge provided an engine.
Three ambulances, two from the county and one from Lee, were also provided through mutual aid.
“We wanted EMS to be able to assist them,” said Chief Clifford.
With the fire under control, the department turned their work to investigating the cause and surveying the damage.
“Currently, I have the state fire marshal’s office here to assist us in the investigation,” said Chief Clifford. “Fire damage is mainly confined to [apartment] 209. We have heavy smoke and water damage throughout the building.”
It is still unclear when residents will be allowed back into the building. Chief Clifford indicated it could be several days.
In addition to the Lenox Fire Department and the Massachusetts Fire Marshal Office, the Lenox Police Department and the state police assisted in investigating the fire and determining the damage.
Photo by Jay Baver
Posted by Bera B. Dunau
on April 12, 2013. Filed under Featured,News.
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