Victim in Amherst fire identified as James Hoffman

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Investigations continue in Amherst after a deadly fire at Rolling Green apartment complex.

Tuesday evening the Northwestern District Attorney's Office told 22News that James E. Hoffman, 21, of Stoughton, Mass. was the person who died in Monday's fire. Now more students are taking precautions to avoid tragedies like this.

Charred doors and burnt air conditioning units are what's left of the 10-unit apartment building at Rolling Green in Amherst.

• Photos: Fire damages Amherst apartments

A massive fire killed one University of Massachusetts Amherst student James Hoffman and left dozens of people homeless early Monday morning.

David Altier, Senior at UMass Amherst, told 22News “It's a wake up call to students. You're going to be that much safer because you're going to be like oh my goodness this could happen to me.”

Caitlin Simpson, Sophomore at UMass Amherst, said “I know before I leave the house I have to make sure my straighter is off. That's my big thing. We can't have coffee makers here. You just have to make sure everything is turned off.”

Lindsay Stromgren, Amherst Assistant Fire Chief, told 22News fires at apartment complexes can be especially dangerous because old buildings like this one may not have an automated sprinkler system. And because all these units are so close together, fire can spread very quickly.

That's why experts say parents should always talk to their children about fire safety before the students move into dorms or off-campus housing.

Ed Comeau, Publisher of Campus Firewatch, said “We really encourage parents to go with the students, with their children, and look at these places and evaluate them for fire safety. Some things to look for are sprinklers, fire alarm systems, two ways out.”

The State Fire Marshal's office has not finished their investigation. They will not be releasing any information on possible causes on Tuesday.