Train sparks spate of blazes

PITTSFIELD – Dozens of firefighters and a Maine Forest Service helicopter spent Tuesday afternoon fighting a series of grass, brush and forest fires along the railroad tracks in several locations in town.

At least six fires were reported, started by sparks thrown from a passing train. Early Tuesday evening, crews still were at one location cleaning up hot spots.

Major fires were reported at Pittsfield’s Industrial Park and off Barney Cianchette Road in south Pittsfield. Firefighters from Burnham, Canaan, Clinton, Hartland, Newport and Pittsfield fought the fires with firetrucks and portable backpacks filled with water. A forestry helicopter also assisted.

The first fire was spotted along the northern side of the tracks in the park about 1:15 p.m., and it quickly spread through dry grass and brush.

In all, about five separate fires erupted in a mile-long area between Main Street and Interstate 95 through the heart of the town’s Industrial Park.

Businesses in the park, which include Walpole, a wood products manufacturer with large stockpiles of wood supplies, were put on standby, but evacuation was not necessary.

The smoky fires blanketed much of Pittsfield in a thick haze, including a nearby trailer park and Somerset Plaza.

No sooner did fire crews extinguish the fires at Industrial Park when an additional fire along the tracks at Barney Cianchette Road was reported.

The fire there burned more than an acre and got into the woods.

Firefighters were forced to go through farmer Thomas Cote’s cornfield to get to the tracks and the blaze, which was between the farm and Interstate 95.

Clinton Fire Department was sent to the northbound rest area on Interstate 95 in Pittsfield and fought the fire from that side.