PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters were able to douse a blaze to allow three trapped occupants of an Appleton Avenue apartment to flee to safety. 

 

The structure fire at 35 Appleton was reported at about 5:11 a.m. on Tuesday. Deputy Chief Daniel Garner said the rear of the 2 1/2-story house was on fire when the the department arrived. 

 

The structure has four residential units and "fast fire extinguishment enabled the residents of apartment 3 to safely self-evacuate" as fire had spread to their doorway and only means of egress. 

 

The rest of the building was searched and all occupants were evacuated. There were no reported injuries. 

 

An estimated damage to the rear of the structure, siding and fascia, porch and door is more than $5,000. 

 

 

The cause of the fire is being investigated by city fire and police and the state fire marshal's office.