Fire Displaces Over 200 at Off-Campus Housing in Amherst
A fire erupted at an off-campus apartment complex in Amherst on Friday night, severely affecting many residents, most of whom are students. As of Saturday night, parts of the building were still burning, and firefighters were unable to enter the structure.
Impact and Response
More than 200 people were displaced, but no injuries have been reported, according to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The blaze was first reported just after 8 p.m. at Olympia Place and spread across multiple buildings.
Fire Origin and Spread
The fire began in a four-story building under construction at 47 Olympia Drive. Due to the intensity of the fire and strong winds, flames quickly spread to the adjacent building at 57 Olympia Drive.
- Multiple explosions were reported, likely caused by fuel tanks on the construction site.
- A construction crane collapsed during the fire.
Firefighting Efforts
The Amherst Fire Department requested a "Task Force" from the state fire mobilization network to bring added support and relieve the initial crews on site. Additional firefighters came from Hampshire, Hamden, and Franklin County.
“There is no current estimate for the dollar value of the loss,” said Amherst Fire Department.
The building at 47 Olympia Drive collapsed, and both buildings involved were declared total losses. Firefighters faced challenges due to poor water pressure in the area.
University Statement
UMass Amherst informed the community about the situation via a letter on Saturday, emphasizing the significant number of students affected by the fire.
“More than 200 people were displaced, many who were students, but no injuries were reported,” stated the university.
Author's summary: A devastating fire at an off-campus housing complex in Amherst displaced over 200 people, mainly students, with extensive property loss but no reported injuries.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?