A two-story barn filled with antiques owned by James Montepare was reduced to a pile of debris by fire Saturday.
Blustery winds expanded the fire from the barn to the garage, which also stored antiques.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A fire destroyed thousands of dollars worth of antiques Saturday on McLain Court.
A two-story barn, a shed and a garage filled with antiques owned by North Adams Public Schools Superintendent James Montepare burnt to the ground.
For five hours, firefighters from Williamstown and Pownal, Vt. battled gusting winds to snuff out the fully engulfed structure fire. There were no injuries and the cause is still unknown.
"I used these two structures for storage and refurbishing," Montepare, who owns three antique stores, said on Sunday. "I can't say enough about the fire departments and how hard they work."
Montepare said he started a small fire in a woodstove in the barn Saturday morning and shortly after noon he saw smoke billowing out the second story windows.
"I did have a small fire going in the woodstove but I don't know if that was the cause," Montepare said. "I closed [the stove] up and everything seemed to be fine."
The building was already so engulfed that Montepare could not enter the barn but he did remove as much flammable material as he could out of the structures and turned the gas off while firefighters were on their way.
Nobody was in the barn when it ignited; Montepare and his wife, Carole, were inside the house. The blustery winds spread the fire from the barn to the garage and ignited a small brush fire on the hillside behind the buildings.
"It was windy and that was a huge factor," Montepare said. "It started going up the mountain."
Montepare is hoping his homeowner's insurance will cover what he called "a total loss." Montepare did not have an exact dollar amount but said he lost thousands of dollars worth of antiques and tools.
Montepare refurbishes and sells antiques as a hobby and the barn was used for storage and as a workspace. Many of the antiques that were destroyed were expected to stock an expanded Empire Antiques on Main Street. Montepare and Keith Bona, owner of Creations, are planning on expanding the store in the Main Street Stage location to accommodate more of Montepare's merchandise.
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The article says he owns three antinques stores. I have to wonder that if he put in as much time into the North Adams Public School System as he seems to dedicate into the antiques business if our school system would be in as bad shape as it now.
Whether you feel he is doing a commendable job or not, should the Superintendent of Schools be able to run antique stores, specifically the one on Main Street, during the day while he is on the cities payroll? He may not be physically working the counter at the store but he spends an aweful lot of time down their during the school day.
Editor: What someone does on his or her time off is their own business - not the city's and not yours. And I am, yet again, astonished at the meanness in this city. Someone suffers a tragedy and people immediately begin trashing the victim. I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
When it comes to the schools of this city, you want Jim manning the helm. He cares, and fights for what we need. No one could do better. When my children were at Greylock, and Conte, I came to know Jim. He is such a diplomat. He's worth every cent we pay him.
Editor: It appears you are quite biased.... I believe this individual was asking a simple question, I read nothing of slander... I believe Mon-Fri while school is in session, Mr. Montpere should be involved with the school community, if it is evident that his time is being spent at the Antiques shop during those hours, then rightfully so for this question to be raised... Don't think anyone cares what he does with his time off...
Editor: The poster is making a serious allegation (not asking a question) without providing proof and that could be construed as slander. Such questions should be directed to the School Committee or the mayor or City Council - not posted anonymously on a comment section. The article is about a fire, not about the job of superintendent.
Any further references off-topic will be deleted. I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
Youare so correct. There is so much contempt back there. No wonder people leave
I too have noticed the trend of the meanness in the city and the victim always getting trashed. I hardly ever see positive comments written anymore. What has happen to nice people?
Superintendant or not no one wants to lose their goods in a fire. Business, hobby or home furnishings, no one wants to deal with the hassle of clean up, insurance and rebuilding. Don't pretend you know you how someone works and what they do on their free time. Our country has put aside differences when it comes to tragedies and lend a hand. Consider doing the same or be silent if you can't be nice when it comes to another's tragedy.
If anyone has ever had a fire on their property, it is very devastating and difficult to deal with the clean up, the insurance and the "what if's". Thankfully they were home when this occurred, and no one was hurt or worse. The Montepare's have my sympathy for the loss of their property. Some of the items they were storing may have been personal things that cannot be replaced. But, thankfully there were no injuries either to them or any of the firefighters.
Jim does not actually " man " his stores , they are all consignment sale locations.He works them only on weekends when he stocks them.Let's give the man a little credit..he would never abuse his position with the school system.Turk
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