PITTSFIELD -- A West Side family was forced to evacuate its home Sunday afternoon after a neighbor who set himself on fire entered through a side entrance, sparking a blaze that seriously damaged the house at 158 Madison Ave.
The fire burned an enclosed porch that doubled as a storage area, damaging a bed, clothing and other items. But the homeowners -- Stephen M. and Carla J. Prendergast -- and their 24-year-old son, Stephen Prendergast II, were not injured during the bizarre incident, which remains under investigation.
The neighbor, whom authorities have yet to identify, suffered serious burns after setting himself on fire. He was airlifted to an unidentified Boston-area hospital for treatment, but his condition was not immediately known.
Pittsfield Police Capt. John Mullin confirmed Monday that the incident was an apparent suicide attempt, but he provided no more information about the man, his condition, nor the hospital he was taken to after the incident.
Police didn't say if the man used an accelerant; they also didn't indicate why he entered the Prendergasts' home.
The family said they had no problems with the man or his girlfriend, Jodi LaBrake, who had lived next door together at 162 Madison Ave. for about a month.
Jodi LaBrake's sister, Amy LaBrake, is the owner of 162 Madison Ave., according to state land records.
Neither sister could be reached for comment Monday.
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"Because of the nature of the incident, we're not having any public comment at this point," Mullin said. "It was a self-inflicted [injury]."
The Prendergasts said the victim was a man in his late 30s. Although the couple said they sympathized with their neighbor, his dangerous actions put them in peril.
"I feel badly, but he jeopardized my family," Stephen Prendergast said.
Prendergast said he discovered the fire when he opened the kitchen door leading to the enclosed porch, where all of his son's personal effects -- including a bed, clothes and other items -- were being stored while the son searched for a new apartment.
"It's nothing you can't replace," said Stephen Prendergast II.
His father wasn't as easygoing about the strange incident.
"He endangered my wife and my son, and now it's personal," said Stephen Prendergast, whose 1978 Corvette also was partially damaged during the incident.
The silver car, which was parked just outside the side porch entrance where the man entered, had visible burn marks on the bumper. The family speculated that the man who was on fire must have fallen or brushed against the car as he made his way toward their home.
The Prendergasts said they had no idea why the man entered their home.
"It was so traumatic," Carla Prendergast said. "It's hard to believe what happened."
The Prendergasts have lived at 158 Madison Ave. for about 15 years. During that time, they said, they've endured many disruptive neighbors.
"You cannot believe the history we've had with neighbors," Carla said.
After the Prendergasts safely evacuated their home, they said, they witnessed a Pittsfield police officer using their garden hose to spray their neighbor, who was seated on the steps leading to the Prendergasts' porch.
It remains unclear if the neighbor would face criminal charges if he recovers from his injuries. Mullin said the man likely would have to submit to a psychiatric evaluation.
To reach Conor Berry: cberry@berkshireeagle.com; (413) 496-6249.
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