News

3-alarm fire collapses Amherst apartment building; 223 residents displaced

Photo: Clipart.com


AMHERST, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — A five-story apartment building at 57 Olympia Drive in Amherst collapsed in a 3-alarm fire Friday evening.

No injuries were reported in the fire, however approximately 223 residents, most of which are students at UMass Amherst, were displaced.

Crews worked for over 24 hours on scene with mutual aid coming in to assist with manpower and shuttling in water. The building was deemed a total loss and demolished.

The Town of Amherst has declared a state of emergency following the destruction of the fire, urging residents to halt non-essential water usage while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. According to Amherst Town Officials, over 1 million gallons of water were used in fire suppression efforts.

The State of Emergency declaration also ensures the town can access emergency state or federal funds to assist displaced residents, property owners, and the town.

Recent Headlines

18 hours ago in Entertainment

Paris wax museum unveils new Diana figure in ‘revenge dress,’ decades after her death in the city

A wax museum in Paris on Thursday unveiled a new figure of the late Princess Diana depicted in a black dress that has come to be known as her " revenge dress," decades after her tragic death in the city.

18 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours ‘Til Dawn’ Tour grosses over $1 billion, Live Nation says

The Weeknd's lengthy tour, which launched in Philadelphia in July 2022 and runs through September 2026, has officially grossed $1.004 billion with approximately 7.55 million tickets sold across 153 tour dates, Live Nation said Thursday.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Brendan Fraser’s new horizons include ‘Rental Family’ and rental hedgehogs

Brendan Fraser has his first leading role since 2022's "The Whale", in "Rental Family," a Tokyo-set drama by the filmmaker Hikari. In it, Fraser plays a struggling actor who, out of desperation, takes a job with a small agency that hires out actors to fulfill roles in real people's lives.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

The 2025 Country Music Association Awards are almost here: How to watch

Excuse me, you look like you like... country award shows. And you're in luck: The 2025 Country Music Association Awards are here. So, what should you expect?

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Labubu and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ to dazzle at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Here’s what to know

Two things that made massive cultural splashes this year — Labubu and "KPop Demon Hunters" — will fill the sky and streets of New York when the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off this year.