Amherst Declares State of Emergency After Massive Fire
A devastating fire broke out at the Olympia Place apartment complex on Olympia Drive in Amherst on Friday night, displacing over 200 residents and prompting the town to declare a state of emergency.
Details of the Incident
According to the Amherst Fire Department, the blaze began around 8:19 p.m. in a building under construction and quickly spread to neighboring structures. Multiple explosions were heard, likely triggered by fuel tanks at the site.
Emergency Response
Firefighters from several nearby towns assisted Amherst crews in battling the flames. A crane collapsed amid the fire, and low water pressure in the area slowed down firefighting efforts.
Town Measures and Impact
Town Manager Paul Bockelman declared a state of emergency to address the crisis and asked residents to avoid non-essential water use to help firefighters conserve supplies.
“Over a million gallons of water have been used to combat the fire, and it may take days for Amherst’s water levels to recover,” officials reported.
Current Status
As of Saturday morning, officials confirmed that the fire, though still burning, is under control. No injuries have been reported, but 232 residents have been displaced and emergency shelters have been established.
Author’s Summary
The Amherst fire left hundreds without homes, strained local water resources, and forced the town into a state of emergency while officials work toward full recovery.