Crews Battle Massive Fire in Amherst
On Friday evening, multiple fire departments in Amherst responded to a large fire on Olympia Drive. The blaze affected a building under construction, quickly spreading to nearby structures.
About 230 people, mostly University of Massachusetts Amherst students, were displaced by the fire. Initial reports came in around 8:00 p.m., with the building already engulfed in flames when responders arrived.
Witnesses described explosions and glass shattering, later identified as explosions caused by fuel tanks at the construction site. The force of the blasts led to the collapse of a construction crane.
University Response and Support
UMass Amherst spokesperson Emily Gest provided an update on support for affected students:
“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.”
Incident Overview
- The fire started in a building under construction on Olympia Drive.
- Flames spread quickly to nearby buildings.
- Explosions caused by fuel tanks contributed to the damage, including a crane collapse.
- Nearly 230 residents, mainly students, were left homeless.
The Amherst fire departments worked through the night to contain the fire and minimize further damage.
Summary
The devastating fire on Olympia Drive displaced hundreds of students, prompting an immediate and coordinated response from local authorities and the university to address urgent needs and support recovery.