GREENFIELD — Two stories of a house burned and a man was arrested after allegedly drunk-driving through the fire scene at 366 Deerfield St. Sunday.
Multiple towns responded to the fire, reported around 11:30 a.m. Extensive damage was done to both floors, a wall was knocked down and much of the inside of the building was ruined during the fire. The occupants were able to exit the building unharmed.
Around noon, the fire was under control and was put out shortly thereafter.
During the fire, a section of Deerfield Street was closed to allow several crews to fight the flames and maneuver their trucks. A Turners Falls Fire Department ladder truck was used to inject firefighters into the smoldering second story.
Around 12:13 p.m. — the road still closed off — Greenfield Police Officer William Trueswell saw a gray station wagon traveling fast down the street, ignoring the roadblock and speeding into the fire scene.
Sgt. Todd Dodge saw the car swerve around firefighters and equipment. Dodge waved his arms in an attempt to get the driver to stop, but the car continued, driving onto a charged fire hose.
Finally, with too many trucks and people with equipment blocking the road to continue, the vehicle came to a halt.
The driver, Micah Nusbaum, 31, of Greenfield remained in the car, failing to comply with Dodge’s orders, according to a statement from police.
Dodge had to reach into the vehicle to put the gear shifter into park. When Nusbaum reached for the shifter again, Dodge pulled him from the vehicle, police said.
After a brief investigation, Nusbaum was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, his second offense; failing to stop for police; negligent operation of a motor vehicle and possessing an open container of alcohol in the car.
Nusbaum was subsequently transferred to the police station to be booked, where he was offered a bail of $500 plus fee. He was then taken to the Franklin County House of Correction for holding.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
Reach David McLellan
at: dmclellan@recorder.com