Fire Displaces Over 200 at Off-Campus Housing Near UMass Amherst
On Friday night, a major fire broke out at an off-campus apartment complex in Amherst, severely affecting many residents, predominantly students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. By Saturday night, the blaze continued in parts of one building, preventing firefighters from safely entering the structure.
Incident Details
The fire began shortly after 8 p.m. at Olympia Place and spread rapidly across multiple buildings due to strong winds and the intensity of the flames. The initial outbreak was at a four-story building under construction at 47 Olympia Drive before moving to 57 Olympia Drive.
Damage and Impact
- More than 200 people were displaced, primarily students.
- Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to UMass Amherst.
- The fire caused multiple explosions, likely from fuel tanks on the construction site.
- A construction crane collapsed during the fire.
- The building at 47 Olympia Drive collapsed completely.
- Both affected buildings were declared total losses.
Response Efforts
Firefighters faced challenges including poor water pressure which hampered suppression efforts. Additional aid arrived from Hampshire, Hamden, and Franklin County, with a state fire mobilization "Task Force" deployed to support the initial crews.
"There is no current estimate for the dollar value of the loss," Amherst fire officials reported.
The university issued a letter informing the community about the incident and its significant impact on students.
Summary: A devastating fire at an off-campus complex near UMass Amherst displaced over 200 people, mainly students, causing total loss of two buildings amidst challenging firefighting conditions.