11/09/2025
Please take a moment for those affected by this very involved and unfolding incident.
🚨 UPDATE on 11/9/2025: Town Manager rescinded the State of Emergency. View most recent post for full update: https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3877
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11/8/2025:
Town Manager Paul Bockelman declared a State of Emergency for the Town of Amherst, MA due to the ongoing fires on Olympia Drive. Residents are urged to stop all non-essential water use to help conserve water for firefighting operations. Over one million gallons of water have been used so far in these efforts, and it will take some days to recover the Town’s water levels. The State of Emergency will ensure the Town will have access to any emergency state or Federal funds that may be available to the displaced Amherst Massachusetts Fire Department
🔗 Read the full announcement here: https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3876
At this time, the Amherst Massachusetts Fire Department and mutual aid partners are still on scene on Olympia Drive. The fire involves a building under construction at 47 Olympia Drive that collapsed and a residential building at 57 Olympia Drive. The apartment building at 57 Olympia Drive is is deemed a total loss and is currently being demolished. Fire crews will continue supporting fire suppression efforts as parts of the building are still burning. Firefighters will remain on scene through the night, marking over 24 hours of UMass Amhersttion.
We are grateful that no injuries have been reported. Preliminary estimates are that 232 residents – mostly students at the UMass Amherst - are displaced from the building at 57 Olympia Drive.
How to help:
• Stay clear of the area and follow emergency services instructions.
• Reduce your use of water and stop all non-essential water use to help conserve water for firefighting operations.
• To help the displaced residents financially, please donate to the Student Care and Emergency Response Fund which goes towards supporting students with emergency needs. At this time, they are requesting that physical donations not be brought to campus; service agencies are providing support to those in need. FAmherst Innovative Living, LLC//www.umass.edu/news/olympia-drive-fire-response
• To offer support for temporary or longer term housing, contact Amherst Innovative Living, LLC by emailing [email protected]
