AMHERST, Mass. (Nov. 7) – The call came in shortly after 8:15pm. A construction site on Olympia Drive was fully engulfed in flames and those flames were spreading to an occupied apartment complex next door. That complex was home to more than 200 UMass Amherst students along with non-student residents – and by Sunday evening, the building was demolished.

Since then, 58 Red Crossers have been working on the disaster relief operation set up to help every displaced resident with their next steps.

Immediately after the building was evacuated, Red Cross volunteers were on-scene to provide blankets, snacks and water to meet immediate needs – as well as volunteers trained in Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health and Disaster Spiritual Care.

"From the moment the incident began on Friday night, your team has been a steady, compassionate presence for all those impacted," said Jeffrey Hescock, UMass Amherst's Emergency Management Executive Director, in a letter of gratitude sent to the Red Cross response team. "Your commitment to the community has made a profound impact, and we deeply appreciate everything you have done—and continue to do—to support those affected."

The Red Cross supported an Emergency Resource Center and three Resource Recovery Centers where anyone displaced by the fire could meet with caseworkers and receive financial assistance to help in their recovery. The Red Cross has opened 197 cases and provided more than $101,000 in immediate financial assistance.

“A home fire is life-changing no matter when it happens, but it’s especially poignant so close to the holiday season,” said Ryan Avery, Chief Disaster Officer for the Red Cross of Massachusetts.  “This is a time where we hold our loved ones close and reflect on what it means to be part of a community. I never take for granted all the volunteers who put their own holiday plans on hold to make sure others have a safe, warm place to stay and food to eat.”

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free and available to all those in need thanks to the generosity of our donors who support disasters large and small all year long. This holiday season, we are grateful to everyone who has made a financial contribution, donated blood or platelets, or volunteered their time to make the Red Cross work possible.