Fire Displaces Over 200 at Amherst Off-Campus Housing
A fire broke out Friday night at an off-campus apartment complex in Amherst, heavily impacting the student community. As of Saturday night, parts of the building were still burning, with firefighters unable to safely enter the structure.
Extent of Damage and Displacement
More than 200 people were displaced, many of them University of Massachusetts Amherst students. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, according to UMass Amherst.
Incident Details
The fire started just after 8 p.m. at Olympia Place, affecting multiple buildings.
- The blaze began at a four-story building under construction at 47 Olympia Drive.
- It rapidly spread to 57 Olympia Drive, driven by intense flames and wind.
- Multiple explosions, likely from fuel tanks on site, were reported.
- A construction crane collapsed amid the fire.
Response and Challenges
Amherst fire officials called for a “Task Force” from the state fire mobilization network to boost fire crews on the scene. Assistance arrived from Hampshire, Hamden, and Franklin County departments.
“There is no current estimate for the dollar value of the loss,” Amherst fire said.
The building at 47 Olympia Drive collapsed, and both affected buildings were declared a total loss. Firefighting efforts were complicated by poor water pressure in the area.
Summary
The fire severely damaged off-campus housing, displacing hundreds of students, while firefighting was hindered by hazardous conditions and infrastructure challenges.