Fundraiser Started for Cromwell Ave House FireBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:02PM / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A fundraising effort has been started for a woman who lost everything in a house fire on Thursday.
The single-family home at 89 Cromwell Ave. was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
Homeowner Linda Boyd was helped from her home by a neighbor and treated for smoke inhalation. The Fire Department estimates that the building is a "near total loss," with partial collapse of the roof and heavy fire damage throughout.
Her son, Pete Boyd, has started a GoFundMe with a goal of $20,000. More than $14,000 has been raised so far.
"I am trying to raise money for my mother who lost everything in a devasting fire that destroyed our family's home," he wrote. "As you can imagine the cost of basic needs and the worry of her uncertain future has put an enormous strain on her."
When crews arrived at the scene there were heavy fire conditions showing with the first-floor rear porch, kitchen, hallway and front porch fully involved with fire. Fire was also extending up along exterior siding into the second-floor windows via auto-exposure.
"This was a very well-developed, fast-moving fire that was aided by the "balloon-frame" construction characteristics which allowed for fire travel among void spaces in the walls," PFD reported.
"The shortcoming of this type of construction can be it typically doesn’t have the "fire stop" protection that common wood "platform-frame" construction affords."
The two-alarm fire was under control in two hours but crews remained on the scene for fire watch and to assist the Fire Investigation Unit. A cause has not yet been released.
Neighbor Michael Connors said he could see flames as he turned on to Cromwell and was calling 911 when he saw the Boyd just outside of the enclosed front porch before leading her to safety.
Boyd was the only person in the home at the time. She and her son are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
At the time of the fire response, neighbors stood outside of their homes on the closed-down street and assisted Boyd, who was transported to Berkshire Medical Center for smoke inhalation and was discharged later that day.
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