The fireplace that claimed nine lives at an assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, “was destined to kill 50-plus individuals,” in line with the native fireplace chief.
“Sadly, 9 weren’t in a position to be saved. However that quantity ought to have been 4 to 5 occasions that,” Fall River Hearth Chief Jeffrey Bacon mentioned at a information convention on Wednesday, praising the “heroic” first responders’ fast actions.
Firefighters who rushed to the five-alarm blaze on the Gabriel House on Sunday night time have described seeing faces in home windows and “having to determine who they wanted to rescue,” Bacon mentioned, overcome with emotion.
An investigator takes measurements Monday, July 14, 2025, close to an entrance to the Gabriel Home assisted residing facility following a hearth that began late Sunday, in Fall River, Mass.
Steven Senne/AP
One responder pushed by the heavy, black smoke contained in the constructing to interrupt into rooms and pull out nonambulatory residents, he mentioned.
A captain on the scene discovered it “eerily quiet” when he responded to the entrance door, the place flames had been blowing out, the chief mentioned.
“He knocked down the fireplace in a short time, to the purpose that numerous lives had been saved,” Bacon mentioned.
Boards cowl the home windows of the Gabriel Home assisted residing facility, the place a hearth on Sunday killed a number of individuals, July 15, 2025 in Fall River, Mass.
Kimberlee Kruesi/AP
9 residents had been killed and dozens had been damage on the Gabriel Home, which was residence to about 70 individuals.
Two individuals remained in crucial situation on Wednesday, Bacon mentioned.
Flowers sit in entrance of the Gabriel Home assisted residing facility the place a hearth on Sunday killed a number of individuals, July 15, 2025, in Fall River, Mass.
Kimberlee Kruesi/AP
The reason for the fireplace is beneath investigation. The Bristol County District Lawyer’s workplace mentioned it “doesn’t seem like suspicious.”
Bacon famous the fireplace began in a room on the second ground.
The DA’s workplace recognized the residents killed as: 64-year-old Rui Albernaz, 61-year-old Ronald Codega, 69-year-old Margaret Duddy, 78-year-old Robert King, 71-year-old Kim Mackin, 78-year-old Richard Rochon, 86-year-old Eleanor Willett and 77-year-old Joseph Wilansky. The identify of the ninth sufferer, a 70-year-old girl, has not been launched.
