In the midnight hour of Friday, May 21, 2021 the Stockbridge Fire Department was dispatched to Camp Mah-Kee-Nac on Stockbridge Bowl for a reported structure fire. The responding units were quickly updated that multiple structures were involved. The fire ultimately consumed 6 buildings (more if the 3 wings of the largest building counted separately).
The hazards present during the fire included secondary power lines that were damaged and arcing on the ground, propane tanks that were damaged and venting flames high into the air, and the chemicals on hand for the operation of the camp pool for the season. National Grid handled the power lines, George Propane handled the propane tanks, and Massachusetts Department of Fire Services District 5 Hazmat Squad 51 with the help of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and a private hazmat cleanup contractor handled the chemicals for the camp pool.
One firefighter sustained minor injuries; was treated and released.
The water used for fire suppression came from two sources: a private fire hydrant on the Tanglewood Boston Symphony Orchestra Linde Center property, and Stockbridge Bowl.
The fire was investigated by State Troopers assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the fire was determined to be accidental, caused by oily rags stored in one of the cabins.
The full list of resources used on and off the fire scene are: Stockbridge Fire Department, Stockbridge Police Department, Stockbridge Highway Department, Lenox Fire Department, Lenox Police Department, Lee Fire Department, Richmond Fire Department, Richmond Ambulance, Great Barrington Fire Department, West Stockbridge Fire Department, Egremont Fire Department, Hinsdale Fire Department, Otis Fire Department, Becket Fire Department, Blandford Fire Department, Canaan New York Fire Department, East Chatham New York Fire Department, New Lebanon New York Fire Department, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, County Ambulance Service, Tanglewood Boston Symphony Orchestra hydrant usage and staff, National Grid, George Propane, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services District 5 Hazmat Squad 51, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, DEP assigned private hazmat cleanup contractor, Berkshire County Fire Chiefs Association County Cars 1 and 3, Berkshire County Sheriffs Control Center, State Troopers assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Camp Mah-Kee-Nac staff and the good Samaritans who reported the fire.
Camp Mah-Kee-Nac will open for its season as scheduled. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will ensure there are no further environmental concerns. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has not reported any environmental impact to Stockbridge Bowl from this incident.
