By Dick Lindsay
The Berkshire Eagle
CHESHIRE, Mass. — A Pittsfield man was arrested early Sunday for allegedly attacking police and fire personnel after his pick-up caught fire, according to state police in Cheshire.
Derek Farmer, 21, was found yelling on the side of the Route 8 near Whitney’s Farm Market about 1:45 a.m. while flames engulfed his 2002 Chevy Silverado, according to the police report.
Farmer injured at least one Cheshire firefighter who was trying to extinguish the truck and then threatened an ambulance worker as he was being treated for unspecified injuries, police said. He also attacked a Lanesborough police officer.
He was charged with two counts of assault and battery, one count each of assault, injuring a firefighter and interfering with a firefighter.
The public safety personnel were treated on the scene for minor injuries. Farmer was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
The cause of the truck fire is under investigation. State police are weighing whether further charges are warranted.
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