UMass Amherst Responds to Fire Displacing 230 Residents
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is offering immediate support to about 230 residents displaced by a fire at the Olympia Place apartment complex. Most affected residents are UMass Amherst students.
Resources Provided
- Free dining services
- Assistance with housing
- Emergency resource center established for those impacted
Fire Details and Response
The three-alarm fire began late Friday night and continued into Saturday. It started around 8:19 p.m. in a four-story building under construction next to Olympia Place, quickly spreading to adjacent apartments.
“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.”
Explosions, likely caused by fuel tanks at the construction site, and the collapse of a construction crane worsened the situation. Mutual aid was requested from towns across Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties, and firefighters remained on site until at least 3 a.m.
Tanker trucks from several communities were brought in to increase the water supply during the firefighting effort.
Summary
UMass Amherst swiftly mobilized resources and emergency aid to support students and residents displaced by the extensive Olympia Place fire and associated hazards.
The university’s coordinated response highlights the critical role of community and first responders in managing this crisis.