HOLYOKE ― Flames tore through a Holyoke apartment building Monday afternoon, leaving dozens of families scrambling for safety and a city racing to respond.
The blaze broke out around 4 p.m. at 131 Clemente St., a multi-unit apartment building housing about 35 families, according to officials.
A woman who lives next door said flames spread so fast that she had to leave for safety.
Around 5 p.m., streets were blocked as fire and police crews worked while alarms sounded. Holyoke firefighters hosed down the blaze from two sides of the building as smoke filled the South Holyoke neighborhood.
The fire also damaged a neighboring building.
Police said no one was injured.
Fire crews from Chicopee and other agencies responded, along with emergency management teams.
Police on social media asked drivers to avoid Main Street in South Holyoke to allow first responders to work efficiently.
People stood outside watching as firefighters battled the blaze, and many were reluctant to leave the scene, worried about pets still inside, said City Councilor Carmen Ocasio.
“They got all the people, but there are a lot of dogs and cats in the building,” Ocasio said.
Displaced families were taken to Morgan Street School for emergency help.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia called the fire “terrible” and urged residents to help those displaced with monetary donations through a relief fund provided by Enlace de Familias.
“At the moment, we have our Holyoke Emergency Management Department CERT team together with the American Red Cross, and (Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center) responding to meet needs of those displaced,” Garcia said.
The Salvation Army also was on scene, providing warm blankets, coffee and other supports. Its Corps Community Center in Holyoke will be available for any displaced residents in need of additional social services.
“It’s crazy that it is happening before the holiday,” said Ocasio, who rushed to the scene after hearing about the fire from a fellow councilor.
Ocasio added she heard the fire might have started from a frying pan on a stove, but that has not been confirmed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
