Fire at Off-Campus Housing Complex Displaces Over 200, Mostly UMass Amherst Students
A large fire tore through an off-campus housing complex in Amherst on Friday night, forcing more than 200 people to evacuate, many of whom were University of Massachusetts Amherst students. As of Saturday night, parts of the building were still burning, and firefighters had not been able to safely enter the structure.
Extent of the Damage
The fire was reported around 8 p.m. on Friday at Olympia Place and affected multiple buildings. The blaze began in a four-story structure under construction at 47 Olympia Drive and quickly spread to 57 Olympia Drive due to strong winds and the fire’s intensity.
Fire Department Report
“Multiple explosions, likely from fuel tanks on the construction site, were reported and a construction crane collapsed,” Amherst Fire Department said in a statement.
According to officials, both buildings were declared total losses. The building at 47 Olympia Drive collapsed completely. No injuries were reported among residents or emergency responders.
Emergency Response
A state fire mobilization “Task Force” was deployed to provide additional units and relieve the initial crews. Firefighters from Hampshire, Hamden, and Franklin counties joined the effort. The response was challenged by low water pressure in the area, delaying fire suppression efforts.
“There is no current estimate for the dollar value of the loss,” Amherst Fire Department stated.
University Response
The University of Massachusetts Amherst confirmed in a message to the school community that a substantial number of students were affected but assured that there were no injuries.
Author’s Summary: A massive fire consumed two student housing buildings near UMass Amherst, displacing over 200 residents but miraculously causing no injuries.