A fire that caused two Massachusetts schools to closed has been tied to multiple code violations, according to Adams Fire Chief John M. Pansecchi and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.
The massive fire was at a vacant 237,000-square foot mill building on 10 Harmony St. in Adams around 7:30 am on April 16. The fire drew firefighters from Pittsfield, Cheshire, North Adams, Lanesborough, Hinsdale, Dalton, Savoy and Williamstown. Firefighters spent about 10 hours battling the blaze.
The volume of smoke produced by the fire prompted concerns about air quality in the area. Two nearby schools were closed in an abundance of caution and residents with respiratory vulnerabilities were advised to shelter in place.
Overall, officials have found no evidence that it was intentionally set. But there were safety code violations.
Pansecchi and code compliance officers from the Department of Fire Services identified several violations of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. Specifically, they found that the property owner had violated several terms of a permit issued in 2019 by:
Failing to install an approved lock box at the gate for fire department emergency access;Failing to seek a new permit when the building became occupied during unsanctioned work; andFailing to obtain a hot work permit for cutting and grinding metal operations within the structure.
Each comes with a fine of $100.
The hot work being performed inside the building required a permit because it involved using oxy-acetylene torches to cut metal for scrap.
“Cutting, grinding, welding, and other hot work requires training, certification, and a permit from the local fire department because of the inherent fire hazard posed by sparks and slag,” a press release stated.
The investigation remains open.
