Firefighters using to-be-demolished house for training

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Firefighters in Northampton took full advantage of the demolition of two historic homes, as they used the opportunity to train members of their department.

This is not too unusual. When there are homes ready for demolition, sometimes fire departments jump at the chance to train their members in them.

So on Wednesday, Northampton firefighters used one of the homes on Belmont Avenue as the setting to practice life-saving techniques.

“We can get in here, especially with some of our newer guys that might not have done this before, and they can get in and get their hands on and learn some techniques that they may not see before,” said Capt. Matt Lamberg of the Northampton Fire Department.

More than 20 firefighters trained at 21 Belmont Avenue from as early as 7:30 A.M. until the evening hours.