A devastating five-alarm fire broke out at the Gabriel House assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, on Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals and leaving dozens injured.
Firefighters, police, and other emergency responders arrived at the chaotic scene where they encountered multiple residents in peril, some screaming and begging for assistance from windows, according to Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon.
The building was engulfed in thick smoke, severely complicating the rescue efforts.
“This was not a situation where teams arrived and people were able to get out easily — all of these people needed assistance,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.
Many residents were particularly vulnerable, with numerous individuals in wheelchairs or dependent on oxygen tanks.
Approximately 12 residents unable to evacuate on their own were physically carried to safety by Fall River police officers.
Of the thirty people transported to local hospitals for treatment, five were firefighters, all of whom have since been released.
One individual remains in critical condition, according to Chief Bacon.
One resident recounted the harrowing experience of the night. While in his room, a first responder urged him to evacuate immediately.
“I had my oxygen tank hooked on … I get my charger for it, my wallet. I went to my room door, I opened it and all the smoke from the hall went right in my face,” he shared.
In a moment of panic, he described not being able to see anything through the smoke, requiring two responders to assist him down the stairs as he focused on not falling.
Concerns have surfaced regarding the staff’s response during the fire, particularly after two residents claimed that some workers fled the building without alerting those who needed help.
Chief Bacon stated, “That’s certainly something that we need to look into,” acknowledging that the facility should have had an approved fire evacuation plan which included drills that need to be investigated.
Another resident, Lorraine Ferrara, claimed that two staff members abandoned the residents and ran to safety in the parking lot.
The facility, which was home to approximately 70 residents, has been cleared following the incident.
It remains unclear whether the fire suppression system activated during the blaze.
Governor Healey expressed her condolences for the families affected by the tragic event.
“My heart goes out to those who are waking up to the most horrific news imaginable about their loved ones this morning,” she stated in a press release.
During a subsequent press conference, Healey also highlighted the heroic efforts of first responders, noting, “Were it not for that, we would’ve seen an even far — an unimaginable loss of life here, given the vulnerability of this population.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that it may have resulted from an electrical or mechanical issue rather than intentional arson.
Union leaders are now voicing concerns about what they describe as a long-standing issue of inadequate staffing in Fall River’s fire department.
Edward Kelly, general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, remarked, “What happened last night was not only a tragedy for the city of Fall River, it was a travesty.”
He pointed out that only two of the department’s ten fire companies are staffed according to national standards, with the remaining eight operating with three personnel each.
Kelly argued that had the department been adequately staffed, the increased number of firefighters could have made a significant difference in the rescue efforts.
Despite the obstacles, he commended the firefighters’ courageous response, noting that some rushed into the scene off duty without proper gear.
“They kicked in doors, they carried people out, they risked their lives,” he stated. “But it wasn’t enough — and that’s not their fault. It’s the fault of the system that failed them.”
Michael O’Reilly, president of the Fall River firefighters union, emphasized that the situation highlights the dire consequences of budget cuts affecting public safety.
He shared that his brother, Captain Frank O’Regan, responded to the fire off duty and entered the building alone, performing rescues by venting the windows and searching for victims, all while no other firefighters were available to assist.
“That’s unacceptable,” O’Reilly concluded.
Fall River, located about 50 miles south of Boston near the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border, features a building that was constructed in 1964 and underwent exterior renovations in 2000.
Recent tax records indicated the structure was considered to be in “average-good” condition as of February this year.
As the investigation into the fire continues, many community members are left grappling with the aftermath of this horrific event.
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