Several firefighters responded to what was reported as a three-alarm fire in Amherst, Massachusetts, on Friday. Social media users alerted locals, posting photos of the massive blaze in Hampshire County. The fire was reported at an apartment building under construction on Olympia Drive.
A massive fire was reported in Amherst on Friday (Unsplash)
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Fire officials said they arrived to find heavy flames engulfing the five-story structure, located at 57 Olympia Drive, with fire impinging on nearby power lines and poles. The blaze quickly escalated to a third alarm, triggering calls for additional crews and equipment from multiple departments across western Massachusetts.
Witnesses shared dramatic images and videos on social media showing flames shooting through the roof. One post described “a 5-story apartment building fully involved,” while another noted “heavy fire conditions with exposure problems.”
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Witnesses shared dramatic images and videos on social media showing flames shooting through the roof. One post described “a 5-story apartment building fully involved,” while another noted “heavy fire conditions with exposure problems.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether anyone was inside the building or if there were any injuries or fatalities. The structure was reportedly under construction, and officials said crews were still working to contain hotspots late into the night.
A state rehab unit was also dispatched to assist firefighters on the scene as they battled the intense blaze amid challenging conditions. Power in parts of the surrounding area was reportedly affected due to the fire’s proximity to utility lines.
A local said that the fire sparked at a UMass dorm. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Amherst Fire Department and the state fire marshal’s office.
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.
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Home/World News/Us News/UMASS Amherst fire: What happened at Olympia Drive? Massive response in Hampshire County
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