A late afternoon fire on Monday, December 1 at 131 Roberto Clemente Street has left at least 35 families without homes. Adjacent buildings at 127 and 121 Clemente Street also suffered water damage while fire crews worked for hours to extinguish the blaze.
A separate fire broke out this morning, Tuesday, December 2, on the corner of 27 Franklin Street and 733 High Street. Fire crews from Holyoke and nearby communities are still on the scene there working to extinguish the blaze. Nearby buildings on Franklin and Maple streets are also being evacuated for safety reasons. More information about this second fire will be released as it becomes available.
Monday’s fire is believed to have started in the basement at 131 Clemente before spreading upward to the roof of the four-story apartment building, near the intersection with Hamilton Street and across the street from Kate’s Kitchen. Fire crews from Holyoke, Barnes, Chicopee, Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, and Westover worked together to put out the fire and secure the affected locations. A team from the State Police Fire Investigation Unit was on the scene last night and again this morning, but at this time, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. No injuries have been reported, and firefighters were able to rescue several pets.
Many of the displaced residents took shelter at Morgan School on Monday afternoon and evening, where school staff and community agencies provided meals, warmth, a place to charge cell phones, and many shoulders to lean on.
“Right now, we know the fires have displaced students from Morgan and E.N. White elementary schools, as well as Sullivan and Peck middle schools, and both Holyoke High School’s North and Dean campuses,” said Assistant Superintendent Jackie Glasheen. She was among the volunteers and school staff who spent time with families Monday evening at Morgan School, listening and providing support.
Mayor Joshua Garcia shared an update about the fire on his Facebook page:
“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of this community, including an outpouring of monetary donations that came in within hours, every single family affected by (Monday’s) fire had a safe, warm place to stay last night. Short term occupancy arrangements were secured, immediate needs were met, and no one was left without shelter. This is Holyoke at its very best, and I am incredibly grateful to every resident, business, and neighbor who stepped up.
“Today, the City of Holyoke will be actively pursuing the property owner to ensure the landlord fulfills their full legal and moral responsibility to these tenants. Our teams are also reaching out individually to every displaced family this morning to reconnect them with longer-term resources, including emergency housing assistance, clothing, food, and any other support they need. The American Red Cross together with our partners at Enlace de Familias will be working on providing aid to the families.
“The seamless collaboration was second to none. Thank you Holyoke Fire Department, Holyoke Police Department, CERT team, Holyoke Public Schools, local City Councilors, Providence Ministries, Red Cross, TJO Animal Rescue, Enlace de Familias, Salvation Army, and so many volunteers. You continue to make me proud every single day.
“If members of the public would like to continue supporting the families, please consider donating to the Relief Fund by clicking on this link. We will make sure the families impacted get access to what's raised.”