Tragic Fire Claims 9 Lives In Massachusetts Seniors Facility/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A devastating fire engulfed the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, killing nine residents and injuring at least 30 others. First responders rescued many trapped occupants amid flames and smoke. Authorities continue investigating the fire’s cause.
Massachusetts Assisted Living Fire Quick Looks
- Fire at Gabriel House kills nine, injures dozens
- Residents seen hanging from windows screaming for help
- About 70 people lived in the Fall River facility
- Over 50 firefighters, including off-duty personnel, responded
- Five firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries
- Police rescued non-ambulatory residents, carrying many out
- Residents and neighbors describe chaos and heroism
- Cause of the blaze remains under investigation
- Fall River community grapples with tragic loss
Deep Look
Nine Dead, Dozens Injured As Blaze Rips Through Massachusetts Assisted Living Facility
FALL RIVER, Mass. — A horrific blaze tore through an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, on Sunday night, leaving nine residents dead and at least 30 others injured in a disaster that stunned the close-knit community.
Authorities said the fire erupted shortly before 10 p.m. at Gabriel House, a residential facility home to approximately 70 older adults and individuals with mobility challenges. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services described scenes of chaos as flames and thick smoke consumed the building’s front section, trapping numerous occupants inside.
By early Monday morning, firefighters had extinguished the blaze and entered the structure to rescue those still trapped. The toll was grim: nine fatalities and scores of injuries, with many victims rushed to hospitals in varying conditions.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon told reporters outside the charred remains of the building. He added that crews encountered a desperate situation on arrival. “Multiple people were hanging out the windows looking to be rescued,” he said.
Witnesses described a frantic, terrifying scene. Leo Johnson, 45, of Fall River, told The Boston Globe he ran to Gabriel House after learning of the fire, fearing for his 68-year-old mother who lives on the top floor.
“I was kinda freaking out because she wasn’t one of the ones outside,” Johnson said. Thankfully, he located her outside, soaked from sprinkler water but otherwise safe.
Nearby resident Joe Alves recalled the night’s horror. Alves, who lives several houses down, said he was watching television when a wall of sirens cut through the quiet neighborhood. Racing outside, he watched firefighters and police battling to save residents, some of whom were disabled or confined to wheelchairs.
“There were people in wheelchairs, a lot of people missing limbs, it was terrible,” Alves recounted, his voice breaking. He described firefighters and neighbors pouring water over burn victims, desperate to ease their pain. “It was chaos.”
The bravery of first responders drew praise throughout Fall River. The city’s police department shared in a statement that officers charged into the smoke-filled building “without hesitation,” breaking down doors and physically carrying out roughly a dozen non-ambulatory residents.
“Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives,” the department said.
Fire officials noted that more than 50 firefighters responded to the emergency, including about 30 who were off duty at the time. Five firefighters suffered injuries while battling the blaze, but officials said none of their injuries were life-threatening.
In the aftermath, burnt debris and the acrid smell of smoke lingered around the building, while investigators worked to determine the fire’s cause. Officials from both state and local agencies are leading the investigation, combing through evidence to establish how the deadly blaze began.
The tragedy has left a deep scar on Fall River, a city of around 94,000 residents located about 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island. The Gabriel House facility had long served as a home for vulnerable residents who relied on staff for daily care and assistance.
Community members have already begun rallying to support survivors and victims’ families. Local churches and charities are coordinating relief efforts, while city officials are exploring temporary housing solutions for displaced residents.
Governor Pam Bondi issued a statement Monday morning expressing condolences to the families of those killed and pledging state resources to aid the community.
“My heart breaks for the residents, families, and first responders affected by this devastating fire,” she said. “We stand ready to help Fall River in any way we can.”
The tragedy has also sparked renewed discussion about fire safety in facilities housing vulnerable populations. Advocates are urging inspections of similar assisted living centers statewide to ensure compliance with fire codes and emergency preparedness.
Meanwhile, survivors like Johnson’s mother remain deeply shaken but grateful to be alive. “It’s a miracle so many made it out,” Johnson said. “But it’s also heartbreaking how many didn’t.”
As Fall River grieves, the community waits anxiously for answers—and for ways to ensure such a calamity is never repeated.
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