Crews Battle Massive Fire in Amherst
On Friday evening, multiple fire departments responded to a large fire on Olympia Drive in Amherst, Massachusetts. The fire began around 8:00 p.m. at a building under construction and quickly spread to nearby buildings.
Approximately 230 people, mainly University of Massachusetts Amherst students, were displaced by the blaze. Witnesses reported explosions and glass shattering, later identified as fuel tank explosions at the construction site. These explosions caused a construction crane to collapse.
Response and Support for Displaced Students
UMass Amherst spokesperson Emily Gest issued 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.”
Fire Incident Details
- The fire started at a building under construction on Olympia Drive.
- Fuel tanks at the site caused explosions and the collapse of a construction crane.
- The blaze spread rapidly, affecting multiple buildings.
- Emergency crews arrived promptly and worked to control the fire.
Local Impact
The disaster has left many students temporarily homeless and reliant on university support services.
Summary: A severe fire on Olympia Drive displaced over 200 UMass Amherst students, prompting swift emergency response and university-organized aid including housing, counseling, and essential resources.