AMHERST – An early morning electrical fire at the University of Massachusetts early Sunday morning temporarily displaced approximately 165 students from a campus residence hall.
The Amherst Fire Department responded to Wheeler Residence Hall on the UMass campus at 141 Thatcher Road at 5:09 a.m. after a fire alarm was activated and an occupant reported smoke on the first floor. Upon arrival, firefighters found moderate levels of smoke and subsequently evacuated the building.
The source was traced to a fire in an electrical panel located in a basement-level mechanical room, according to a statement from the AFD. The fire was extinguished after university electricians shut off power to the building. Fire crews then ventilated the structure and assisted with an investigation.
No injuries were reported among residents or emergency personnel. The displaced students were temporarily relocated to a nearby residence and dining hall.
The cause of the electrical failure is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office. The Amherst Fire Department was assisted by UMass Police, Environmental Safety, and Facilities personnel.
