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Authorities in Berkshire County received a report of a fire at Olde Forge Restaurant, located at 125 North Main St. in Lanesborough, at about 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28, according to the Lanesborough Police Department.
The Cheshire, Dalton, Hancock, and Hinsdale fire departments responded to assist the Lanesborough Fire Department and found fire coming from the back of the building.
The fire was contained within an hour, police reported.
Authorities said a firefighter was hospitalized for possible heat exhaustion and has since recovered.
Police reported on Monday, Aug. 29, that investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set using "smoking materials" by a man who worked at the restaurant.
His identity was not released.
Police said the man will be summonsed to Pittsfield District Court.
“I’d like to thank our firefighters and mutual aid partners for their work containing this fire and preventing even greater damage,” Lanesborough Fire Chief Jeffrey DeChaine said. “The joint investigation with our local and state partners has identified the suspect as an employee of the restaurant who will be summonsed to court at a later date.”
Police said the origin and cause of the fire were jointly investigated by:
- The Lanesborough Fire Department
- The Lanesborough Police Department
- State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office
Police asked anyone with information about cases of arson to call the Arson Watch Reward Program 1-800-682-9229.
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