Crews Battle Massive Fire in Amherst
On Friday evening, multiple fire departments responded to a large fire on Olympia Drive in Amherst, Massachusetts. The blaze displaced 230 people, mostly University of Massachusetts Amherst students.
The fire began around 8:00 p.m. in a building under construction. When officials arrived, the structure was fully engulfed and the fire started spreading to nearby buildings. Explosions were heard due to fuel tanks at the construction site, which also caused a construction crane to collapse.
Response and Support for Displaced Students
UMass Amherst spokesperson Emily Gest released a statement addressing the situation:
“Olympia Place residents have immediate access to all dining commons at no cost, and an on-campus emergency resource center will be opened at noon today to centralize critical student needs including housing, medication, clothing, academic accommodations, counseling, and more. Student residents of Olympia Place will be contacted directly this morning with the location of the emergency resource center; we ask that only residents of Olympia Place use this space out of respect for the needs of those most directly affected.”
Western Mass News was first on the scene, speaking with onlookers and documenting the event.
Incident Details
- The fire started in a building under construction on Olympia Drive.
- Explosions from fuel tanks intensified the blaze and caused the collapse of a crane.
- 230 people, primarily students, were displaced and are now seeking immediate assistance.
The immediate focus is on providing housing and essential services to those affected by the fire.
Official Communication
The university encourages only Olympia Place residents to use the emergency resource center to respect the needs of those directly impacted.
Summary: A severe fire on Olympia Drive in Amherst displaced hundreds of UMass Amherst students, with emergency services and the university providing rapid support and resources.
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