FALL RIVER, Mass. — A devastating fire at an assisted living facility over the weekend has claimed the lives of multiple residents, leaving the community in shock. Flames engulfed the Gabriel House late Sunday evening, where around 70 individuals were living, prompting a rapid response from emergency services.
Firefighters arrived shortly after 9:50 p.m., confronted by intense smoke and flames emanating from the front of the building. Many occupants were trapped inside, some reportedly crying for help while hanging from windows. Despite the urgent efforts of approximately 50 firefighters, including 30 who rushed in from off-duty status, the scene was chaotic as rescue efforts unfolded throughout the night.
By Monday morning, the fire had been extinguished, allowing crews to enter the facility. Tragically, several residents were found deceased at the scene. Emergency responders transported numerous survivors to local hospitals, where they were treated for various injuries, while five firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the operation.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon stated, expressing deep sorrow for those affected. Numerous families gathered outside the facility, anxiously waiting for confirmation of their loved ones’ safety, illustrating the emotional toll this event has taken on the community.
Leo Johnson, a local resident, shared his panic as he searched for his 68-year-old mother, who lives on the top floor of the facility. “I was freaking out because she wasn’t one of the ones outside,” he recalled. Fortunately, he found her, drenched from the sprinklers that had activated during the blaze.
In their effort to rescue residents, officers from the Fall River Police Department entered the smoke-filled building without hesitation, breaking down doors to escort individuals to safety. “Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers,” stated a police spokesperson, acknowledging the bravery exhibited that night.
Local and state authorities are now investigating the cause and origin of the fire, while community members continue to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy. Fall River, a city of about 94,000 people, lies approximately 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and is now facing one of its most difficult moments.
As investigators work to uncover what led to this tragic event, the community is rallying together to support affected families in a time of overwhelming grief.