Nine people have died in a fire at an assisted living home in Fall River, Massachusetts, according to authorities. The fire chief called it “an unfathomable tragedy.”
Flames broke out around 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the Gabriel House on Oliver Street. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy flames and smoke coming through the main entrance and several people hanging out of the windows, waiting to be rescued, according to Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon.
More than 30 people were rushed to the hospital and five firefighters suffered minor injuries, Bacon said. In addition to the nine deaths, one person was in critical condition Monday morning.
There’s no word yet on how or where the fire started. About 50 firefighters were called in, including about 30 who were off-duty, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said.
“The fire investigators from the Fall River Fire Department and the state fire marshal’s office will be in the building along with code compliance and they’re going to try to put the scene back together and figure out what exactly what happened,” the fire chief said.
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said there were sprinklers in the building.
“An unfathomable tragedy for the families”
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Bacon said in a statement 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.”
Families who had loved ones at the home can get more information at the chapel at St. Anne’s Hospital. They can also call 508-674-5741.
The Gabriel House has 100 single-bed units, according to its website and Mass.gov. The state fire marshal said about 70 people were living at the home before the fire.
Fall River is about 50 miles south of Boston and 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.
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