BERNARDSTON — A structure fire at the former Bernardston Farmers Supply Wednesday evening resulted in an estimated $1,000 in damage to the vacant building.
According to Fire Chief Peter Shedd, the Fire Department was called to 43 River St., the former Bernardston Farmers Supply building, for a first-alarm structure fire at around 8:15 p.m. While the cause of the fire is being investigated, Shedd said there had been a report of fireworks in the area prior to the call.
“With witness statements and lack of any other cause, we are leaning toward unintentional damage from illegal fireworks,” Shedd said.
The first firefighters on scene reported that both smoke and fire were visible upon arrival. According to Shedd, it appeared the siding of the building is what initially caught fire. Because there was no wind, Shedd said smoke rode straight up the outside of the building, into the eaves and back into the building, making it difficult to assess the size of the fire.
“Smoke ejected from the second and third floors,” Shedd said.
The fire took about an hour and a half to get under control. One engine from the Greenfield Fire Department, an engine and a ladder truck from the Northfield Fire Department and a rescue truck from the Deerfield Fire Department also responded. Members of the Gill Fire Department provided coverage at the Bernardston Fire Station.
The former Bernardston Farmers Supply building, which has been vacant since January 2018, is owned by Doug and Vicki L’Abbee, Shedd said. It was one of three businesses owned by Vicki L’Abbee’s family, but closed after the family decided to consolidate their business to Amherst Farmers Supply and The Fire Place stove store in Whately.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.