NEED TO KNOW
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More than 230 people have been displaced after a massive fire tore through an apartment complex in Massachusetts
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Firefighters were first called to the blaze at an off-campus apartment building for University of Massachusetts Amherst students at around 8:20 p.m. local time on Friday, Nov. 7
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No injuries have been reported, and the fire is still burning as of Saturday, Nov. 8
More than 230 people have been displaced after a massive fire tore through an apartment complex in Massachusetts — and firefighters are still battling the blaze.
According to NBC Boston, WHDH and WCVB, firefighters were first called to the fire in Amherst at around 8:20 p.m. local time on Friday, Nov. 7.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst confirmed in a statement that one building affected was an off-campus apartment building that housed hundreds of its students. The blaze quickly spread to a neighboring building, the college said, displacing even more students.
A four-story building was under construction at the time of the fire. Officials confirmed to the local outlets that a crane collapsed amid the flames and several explosions were reported, possibly from construction fuel tanks.
No injuries have been reported, and the fire was still burning as of Saturday at 1 p.m., officials told the outlets.
Video taken at the scene, located east of UMass Amherst’s main campus, showed heavy flames and billowing smoke as firefighters from several cities attempted to battle the fire.
“The university, the town of Amherst, regional aid agencies, including [Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency] (MEMA), and the Olympia Drive management company are working to support students who are impacted. The university is grateful for the community’s support for our students,” UMass Amherst said in a statement.
The university also announced that it had opened an emergency resource center on campus for impacted students, who have been contacted directly with further instructions. The university’s Student Care & Emergency Response Fund has been fundraising to support these students.
One woman who lives in the complex, Dana Manor, told NBC Boston that she and several other residents were told to evacuate quickly when the blaze began.
“The fire was, like, all the way up to the roof. It was really, really strong,” Manor said, recounting how several building residents were searching for their pets amid the fire.
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Officials told the local outlets that low water pressure has been an issue for firefighters attempting to battle the fire, and one nearby municipality even brought a water tanker to the scene.
The city of Amherst has asked all residents to “please stop all non-essential water use immediately to help conserve water for firefighting efforts.”
“Stay clear of the area and follow emergency services’ instructions. More information coming soon,” the city wrote in a statement.
Read the original article on People
