Amherst Fire Displaces 230 Residents and Spreads to Multiple Buildings
A fierce fire erupted late Friday night on Olympia Drive in Amherst, consuming a five-story apartment complex home to roughly 230 people. The blaze also spread to a nearby building construction site where it initially started shortly after 8 p.m.
Firefighters from across the region battled the fire for nearly 24 hours. The blaze was first reported at 8:19 p.m. Friday, and crews worked throughout the following day. Amherst Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren announced the fire was under control by around 7 p.m. Saturday.
"Fire crews were not able to enter the unstable building and were expected to continue to extinguish the fire from the exterior while demolition crews tore down the structure."
The demolition work to stabilize and remove the damaged building was scheduled to be completed by Sunday morning. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is not considered suspicious.
In response to the incident, the town declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon. Residents were urged to cease nonessential water use to conserve resources for firefighting efforts. Officials stated that by 6 p.m. Saturday, more than 1 million gallons of water had been deployed to fight the fire.
Key Points
- Fire started shortly after 8 p.m. Friday at a construction site on Olympia Drive.
- Destroyed a five-story apartment complex housing approximately 230 individuals.
- Firefighters from multiple areas battled the blaze for nearly 24 hours.
- No injuries reported.
- State of emergency declared; residents asked to conserve water.
- Over 1 million gallons of water used by Saturday evening.
- Building demolition ongoing due to structural instability.
Summary: A large fire on Olympia Drive in Amherst displaced about 230 residents, required extensive firefighting and demolition efforts, and prompted a state of emergency with water use restrictions.
More News
- Senate takes first step toward ending the government shutdown - Beaver County Radio
- How Personal Injury Lawyers Maximize Your Settlement
- Sara Cox begins 135-mile Children in Need challenge
- Game Hub 15: Ottawa Senators at Philadelphia Flyers
- Sara Cox is met with alpacas and a bagpiper ahead of 135-mile marathon
- Did the Yes King star die after a coma? Viral picture surfaces as daughter confirms Michael Willis Heard’s death
- Allianz signs four-year deal with West Coast Eagles
- How Personal Injury Lawyers Build Strong Cases - Lawyer Monthly
- The 'Big Brother' Live Stream Is Back — Here's How To Watch It
- Power outage impacts Jenison High and Jr. High, operating on two-hour delay