





Truck Crashes Into Pittsfield's Samel's Deli
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wednesday morning was busy for Pittsfield first responders, as a pickup truck crashed into Samel's Deli & Catering and a fire broke out on First Street.
Around 9:45 a.m., the police reported that the street in front of Samel's Deli & Catering would be closed or down to one lane as a result of a two-car collision that sent the truck careening into the deli.
The department posted two photos on Facebook, one depicting the 2008 silver truck with New York license plates crashed through the glass of the front entrance and another of a white Honda CR-V with significant damage to the front end.
"A vehicle was coming out of one of the alleyways here and struck this truck, which continued into the building," Police Officer Craig Jones explained when iBerkshires arrived on the scene.
Jones reported that there was one injury, but not whether it was someone in the vehicles or in the deli. A crossing signal near Samel's front entrance was also taken out by the truck.
Crews worked to clear debris in front of the restaurant as the truck was towed away. That section of the road reopened around 11 a.m.
The police, firefighters and an ambulance responded to the accident and police intend to release a statement on the incident.
Around 6:15 a.m., the Fire Department reported that it had responded to a possible structure fire at 233-235 First St. Windows on all three floors of the multi-family building are now broken or boarded up and the cause is under investigation by the Fire Investigation Unit and investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Upon arrival, Engine 3 reported heavy fire and smoke from the 235 side of the five-apartment building. A command was established, and a second alarm was called, bringing all on-duty apparatus and personnel to the scene.
Engine 3 and Engine 2 initiated an interior attack, while Engines 6 and 5 conducted search and rescue operations. It was unknown if the building was occupied at the time. Engine 1 was assigned as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).
The fire was brought under control in approximately one hour. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. Off-duty Pittsfield fire personnel and the Dalton Fire Department provided mutual aid to cover the city. Eversource and Berkshire Gas secured utilities to the building.
Tags: motor vehicle accident, structure fire,