Town of Amherst Declares State of Emergency Due to Housing Complex Fire
The town of Amherst declared a state of emergency this weekend as a fire raged through a housing complex, displacing over 230 residents. The blaze began Friday night at 57 Olympia Drive, also known as Olympia Place, according to the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Firefighting Efforts and Water Usage
According to Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman, firefighting operations have already consumed more than one million gallons of water. He urged residents on Saturday night to stop all nonessential water use to help conserve the remaining supply.
Impact on Residents and Community Response
Approximately 232 people, mostly University of Massachusetts Amherst students, have been displaced by the fire. The town statement noted it will take several days to refill the local water supply. Declaring the state of emergency allows Amherst, displaced residents, and property owners to access state and federal aid.
“Today has been a difficult day for our community, and we know there are still more challenges ahead,” said Patricia Cardoso-Erase, associate vice chancellor and dean of students. “We recognize that the impact of this fire will continue to unfold over the coming days and weeks.”
Fire Origin
The fire was first reported just after 8 p.m. on Friday, marking the beginning of a significant emergency for the Amherst community.
Summary
The town of Amherst is managing a serious fire emergency that displaced thousands and exhausted critical water resources, prompting an urgent call for water conservation and enabling access to emergency funds.