Overview
- The blaze began Friday around 8:15 p.m. at a building under construction on Olympia Drive and quickly spread to nearby apartments used by UMass students.
- Officials reported multiple explosions likely linked to construction fuel tanks, a crane collapse, and major structural failures with no injuries confirmed.
- The incident grew to a multi‑alarm response with extensive mutual aid as poor water pressure hampered operations and more than one million gallons were used, prompting a conservation request.
- Town Manager Paul Bockelman issued the emergency declaration to facilitate aid while residents were asked to suspend non‑essential water use for several days of system recovery.
- UMass opened an emergency resource center and is coordinating with MEMA and the Red Cross to house displaced residents as state fire investigators probe the cause.