Authorities are investigating a series of suspicious fires over the weekend in one of the smallest communities in Massachusetts.
Mount Washington is located in southern Berkshire County and has fewer than 200 residents.
According to the state fire marshal's office, three houses were found burning early Sunday morning. Two owned by the state were destroyed. One of those was a historic house, where the founder of the Shaker movement, Ann Lee, is believed to have spent time in the late 1700s.
Mount Washington Emergency Management Director Brian Tobin said the fires have left town residents on "pins and needles."
"These happened in the middle of the night," Tobin said. "They happened very suddenly, and I would say folks are understandably very concerned. I imagine they will feel better when they see an increased police presence."
Tobin said he's arranged for just that: more patrols from the state police. He said he couldn't say enough about the emergency response from neighboring towns to help fight the flames.
Several departments from around Berkshire County lended a hand, as did some from just across the state line in New York. There was also a response from local and state law enforcement.
"There were dozens and dozens of people up there within an hour, hour and a half," Tobin said. "People stayed there until [Sunday] evening, so almost 24 hours."
The state fire marshal's office said the fires are believed to be connected.
That office, along with the Egremont Fire Department and state police attached to the Berkshire District Attorney's office, are all investigating.