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Firefighters responded to the Gabriel House assisted living
facility in Fall River at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met
with heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building, with
occupants trapped inside, the state Department of Fire Services
said in a news release. About 70 people live in the house.
The fire was out by Monday morning and firefighters were able to
get inside and rescue numerous occupants, but several were
declared dead at the scene, the news release said. About 50
firefighters responded, including 30 who were off-duty.
Many of those rescued were taken to local and regional hospitals
in varying conditions. Five firefighters suffered injuries that
were not life-threatening, the statement said.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and
the Fall River community,” said Chief Jeffrey Bacon.
He told reporters “multiple people were hanging out the windows
looking to be rescued.” Family members who showed up said police
were trying to break windows.
Leo Johnson, 45, of Fall River, told The Boston Globe he rushed
over to find his 68-year-old mother, who lives on the top floor
of Gabriel House.
“I was kinda freaking out because she wasn’t one of the ones
outside,” he said. He eventually found her, saying she was
outside soaking wet because the sprinklers were going off.
The Fall River Police Department in a statement said that
"without hesitation, officers entered the smoke-filled facility,
breaking down doors and escorting residents to safety.
"Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically
carried out by our officers. Their bravery and quick action
undoubtedly saved many lives.”
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation, state
and local authorities said.
Fall River, which has about 94,000 people, is about 20 miles
southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.
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