UMass Amherst Supports Residents Displaced by Olympia Place Fire
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is providing free dining, housing assistance, and an emergency resource center to aid the 230 residents displaced by a fire at the Olympia Place apartment complex. This fire occurred late Friday night and continued into Saturday.
Impact and Response
According to the Amherst Fire Department, approximately 230 residents, mostly UMass Amherst students, have been forced to leave their homes. The university is committed to addressing their urgent needs.
“The university is grateful for the support of the multiple agencies that have responded to this tragedy, especially those first responders from the surrounding communities who answered mutual aid calls.”
Details of the Fire Incident
The fire was first reported around 8:19 p.m. when callers informed 911 that a four-story building under construction next to Olympia Place was ablaze. The fire quickly spread to adjacent apartment buildings.
- Multiple explosions, likely caused by fuel tanks at the construction site, were reported.
- One construction crane collapsed during the incident.
- Second and third alarms led to mutual aid from Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties.
- Firefighters remained on the scene until at least 3 a.m.
- Tanker trucks from several communities were brought in to enhance the water supply.
Emergency Coordination
The cooperation between different counties and mutual aid responders has been crucial in managing the fire and its aftermath.
Author’s summary: UMass Amherst swiftly mobilized resources and coordinated multi-county aid to assist over 200 displaced residents after a major fire severely damaged Olympia Place apartments.