Nine Dead in Fall River Assisted Living Fire

Trapped Residents, Heroic Rescues Mark Tragic Blaze

A devastating fire ripped through an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, claiming the lives of nine residents and injuring over 30 others Sunday night. Firefighters arriving on scene were immediately confronted by thick smoke and intense flames engulfing the front of the Gabriel House facility, with individuals desperately signaling for help from windows.

Desperate Scene Unfolds

Fall River Fire Chief **Jeffrey Bacon** described the harrowing initial moments: “Fire crews were met with heavy fire coming through the main entrance and multiple people hanging out the windows looking to be rescued.” Around 50 firefighters battled the blaze at the residence, which housed approximately 70 people.

Lives Saved Amidst Tragedy

Responding crews successfully evacuated numerous occupants, but multiple residents were pronounced dead at the scene. Many others were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Five firefighters sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.

Witness **Joe Alves**, living nearby, recounted the scene: “There were people in wheelchairs, a lot of people missing limbs, it was terrible,” he said, his voice faltering.

The Fall River Police Department’s swift intervention was critical. A statement noted that “without hesitation, officers entered the smoke-filled facility, breaking down doors and escorting residents to safety.” Officers were credited with physically carrying out about a dozen non-ambulatory residents, actions hailed as undoubtedly saving many lives.

Family Searches for Loved Ones

**Leo Johnson**, 45, rushed to the facility seeking his 68-year-old mother. “I was kinda freaking out because she wasn’t one of the ones outside,” he told The Boston Globe. He later found her safely outside, soaked from activated sprinklers.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under active investigation. Fall River, a city of roughly 94,000 people, is located approximately 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.

Fires in residential care facilities can spread rapidly, particularly if sprinkler systems are not fully functional or if egress routes are compromised. In 2022, a fire in a similar facility in the United States resulted in multiple fatalities, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring resident safety in such settings (National Fire Protection Association).