by David Flint
Seven fire companies responded to a fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Powder Hounds Restaurant situated at the base of Jiminy Peak. Hancock, MA, Fire Chief David Rash said that the fire of unknown origin started about 2 pm. By 4 pm the fire was under control, but firefighters were still in the process of dousing hot spots. Rash expected they would continue to do so into the night hours.
[private]He reported that one firefighter from Stephentown suffered smoke inhalation and had to be transported to Berkshire Medical Center. There was extensive fire damage on the second floor of the structure, Rash said, as well as much smoke and water damage to the rest of the building.
Because of the fire a portion of Brodie Mountain Road was shut down to traffic for most of the afternoon.
Fire companies that responded included Hancock, Stephentown, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Williamstown, Dalton and Richmond. Rash said that the State Fire Marshal, too, was on his way to the site to start an investigation of the cause of the fire.
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