UMass Amherst Mobilizes Support After Olympia Place Fire
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is offering free dining, housing assistance, and an emergency resource center for approximately 230 residents displaced by a fire at the Olympia Place apartment complex.
Incident Details
The fire, classified as a three-alarm blaze, began late Friday night around 8:19 p.m. when 911 callers reported a fire at a four-story building under construction next to Olympia Place. The fire quickly spread overnight to adjacent buildings in the complex.
Fire Development and Response
- The fire caused multiple explosions, likely from fuel tanks on the construction site.
- A construction crane collapsed during the incident.
- Second and third alarms were issued to request mutual aid from neighboring communities in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties.
- Firefighters remained at the scene into the early morning hours, with tanker trucks called in to supplement the water supply.
Impact on Residents
According to the Amherst Fire Department, about 230 residents were displaced, most of whom are UMass Amherst students.
“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.”
University Support Efforts
UMass Amherst is prioritizing meeting essential needs by providing free meals, housing aid, and establishing an emergency resource center to assist displaced students and residents during this crisis.
Author’s summary: UMass Amherst swiftly responded to a devastating fire that displaced 230 mostly student residents at Olympia Place, providing essential aid and coordinating community support.