A devastating fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, has claimed the lives of at least nine people, with 30 others injured. Five firefighters who responded to the blaze were among those taken to the hospital and later released. The fire broke out on Sunday night at Gabriel House, a facility home to about 70 residents.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said in a statement on Monday. “On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones who are grieving this morning.” Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames upon arrival and worked to rescue trapped residents, one of whom remains in critical condition.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Jarren Oldrid, whose 67-year-old father Steven Oldrid was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, expressed his shock and confusion, saying, “It’s kind of just a whirlwind of trying to figure out what’s happening, how this could happen in such a major way.”
Approximately 50 firefighters responded to the incident, with 30 of them being off-duty. Chief Bacon noted that some people were hanging out of the facility’s windows, awaiting rescue. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey offered condolences to the victims and promised “the full assistance of the state”. “A full investigation is already under way,” Healey said. “I know the people of Fall River are strong and resilient, and now is the time for us to all come together to support one another through this terrible tragedy.”
The incident has left the community in mourning, with many offering support to the affected families. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and officials are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.