No Injuries in Overnight Fire in Amherst
A fire in Amherst forced 20 residents from a downtown rooming house during the early morning hours today.
Amherst’s director of fire services said, “We received the call at about a quarter to four this morning.” Greg Jones added, “The call said it was a structure fire at 4 Prince Arthur Street, so we rolled the full complement of the fire department.”
When firefighters arrived on the scene, smoke was coming out two back doors that led to the basement of the three-storey rooming house.
They quickly ran lines through both doors and fought the fire from within the building. They had the fire out about 45 minutes after their arrival.
Jones said, “Everyone got out of the building. None of the residents or the 46 firefighters on the scene were physically injured.”
The department called the Red Cross, seeking assistance for the displaced residents. The agency provided emergency lodging, food, and clothing for 16 people. Four others had left the scene before the Red Cross volunteers arrived, but will be offered similar help if needed.
The fire was mostly confined to the basement of the structure, with some upward damage in the walls.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Photo by Tom McCoag, Town of Amherst.
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