AMHERST — An apartment on Amity Street where a fire started Friday night was heavily damaged, though the building sustained no structural damage, according to the Amherst Fire Department.
Assistant Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren said Saturday the fire started on the kitchen counter of a second-floor apartment at 219 Amity St. The cause of the fire reported by a passerby at 7:43 p.m. remains under investigation.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital after suffering from heat exhaustion while fighting the fire Friday. She has since been released, Stromgren said.
Stromgren said the apartment will need to be completely gutted. The first floor sustained water damage, while the upper floors and stairwell suffered heat and smoke damage.
There’s no timeline for when repairs will begin, though he estimates it will take a minimum of a month to complete.
The building has nine apartments, two of which are currently occupied. Six women were living in the apartment where the fire originated.The occupant of the other apartment had to vacate for the time being, though her apartment did not sustain any damage, Stromgren said.
Stromgren said he believes all seven of the displaced women are living with family or friends.
The property is owned by a limited liability company controlled by James Cherewatti. He could not be reached for comment.