A devastating fire at Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, has left at least nine dead and over 30 injured, authorities confirmed Monday. The blaze erupted late Sunday night, engulfing the residence housing 70 older adults who relied on staff support for independent living.
Approximately 50 firefighters battled the flames, rescuing multiple residents from windows and smoke-filled rooms. Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon described scenes of residents clinging to windows for survival as first responders arrived. Five firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the operation.
Massachusetts Department of Fire Security spokesperson Jake Wark confirmed the facility's surviving residents were relocated to temporary shelters. Investigators have yet to determine the fire's cause, with Chief Bacon calling the incident "an unfathomable tragedy" for families and the community.
The disaster highlights ongoing concerns about safety protocols in senior care facilities, particularly for vulnerable populations requiring emergency assistance. Local hospitals continue to treat survivors, with one patient remaining in critical condition.
