Multiple fatalities, injuries in Fall River assisted living fire

Multiple people have died and several were injured in a fire at an assisted living complex in Fall River, Massachusetts, the city’s fire chief confirmed Monday.The fire department was called to the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence on Oliver Street at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the main entrance of the complex, as well as multiple residents hanging out of their windows waiting to be rescued, Fall River Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Bacon said. Bacon said multiple people died in the fire and more were injured, though specific numbers were not available. Five firefighters were transported to hospitals with minor injuries. “This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Bacon said. “On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones who are grieving this morning.”The Fall River Police Department said several patrol officers who were first on the scene saw heavy smoke billowing from the building and broke down doors to escort 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 department said in a statement. The fire went to five alarms, drawing about 50 firefighters to the scene, including about 30 who were off-duty.Several residents were pronounced deceased at the scene. Many more were transported to local and regional hospitals in varying conditions. Family members described chaos as residents hung out of windows trying to escape the flames. One woman said her father called her as he was trapped in his room and she had to direct firefighters to his location.”He was on the floor talking to me, and I am crying telling him, ‘Break the window. Try to break,’ it because he is so weak, and he couldn’t break it, and I am like, ‘Where are you?’ and he was like. ‘I am in the bathroom,’ and I said open your bathroom window, and he said, ‘It is open, but they are not hearing me. They are not hearing me, Melanie. I am going to die in here,'” the woman said. A family reunification center is open at the chapel at St. Anne’s Hospital on Middle Street for families whose loved ones were residents at Gabriel House. Families can also call 508-674-5741 for assistance. According to its website, Gabriel House is an assisted living facility that allows older adults to live independently with help. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence reports Gabriel House first opened in 1999 and has 100 units. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Fall River Fire Department, Fall River Police, State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office and State Police assigned to the Bristol DA’s office.

Multiple people have died and several were injured in a fire at an assisted living complex in Fall River, Massachusetts, the city’s fire chief confirmed Monday.

The fire department was called to the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence on Oliver Street at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the main entrance of the complex, as well as multiple residents hanging out of their windows waiting to be rescued, Fall River Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Bacon said.

Bacon said multiple people died in the fire and more were injured, though specific numbers were not available. Five firefighters were transported to hospitals with minor injuries.

“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Bacon said. “On behalf of the Fall River Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones who are grieving this morning.”

The Fall River Police Department said several patrol officers who were first on the scene saw heavy smoke billowing from the building and broke down doors to escort 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 department said in a statement.

The fire went to five alarms, drawing about 50 firefighters to the scene, including about 30 who were off-duty.

Several residents were pronounced deceased at the scene. Many more were transported to local and regional hospitals in varying conditions.

Family members described chaos as residents hung out of windows trying to escape the flames. One woman said her father called her as he was trapped in his room and she had to direct firefighters to his location.

“He was on the floor talking to me, and I am crying telling him, ‘Break the window. Try to break,’ it because he is so weak, and he couldn’t break it, and I am like, ‘Where are you?’ and he was like. ‘I am in the bathroom,’ and I said open your bathroom window, and he said, ‘It is open, but they are not hearing me. They are not hearing me, Melanie. I am going to die in here,'” the woman said.

A family reunification center is open at the chapel at St. Anne’s Hospital on Middle Street for families whose loved ones were residents at Gabriel House. Families can also call 508-674-5741 for assistance.

According to its website, Gabriel House is an assisted living facility that allows older adults to live independently with help.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence reports Gabriel House first opened in 1999 and has 100 units.

The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Fall River Fire Department, Fall River Police, State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office and State Police assigned to the Bristol DA’s office.


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