For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Great Barrington Fire Department Responds to Utility Pole Fire

GREAT BARRINGTON — Chief Charles Burger reports that the Great Barrington Fire Department responded to downtown this morning after a utility pole caught fire.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m., firefighters responded to the area in front of 100 Main St. for a report of a utility pole fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed that the pole had been burning from the top, and was was still on fire. In addition, power lines and three transformers were dangling and in danger of falling into the roadway. Due to safety concerns, the road was shut down. National Grid responded to the scene and cut the power, allowing the fire to quickly burn itself out.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire and power has since been restored to the area. However, the wires and transformers remained in danger of falling, requiring National Grid employees to stage their vehicles in the road to conduct repairs.

The Great Barrington Fire and Police Departments worked together to close Main Street and detour traffic onto East Street until around noon, though work to repair the pole remains ongoing.

###