“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey 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 facility housed about 70 people before the fire, and at least 30 were injured in the incident. When firefighters arrived on the scene at about 9:50 p.m. on July 13, the occupants were found trapped inside.
People were hanging out of windows and screaming for help, authorities said on July 14.
Firefighters rushed into the premises amid heavy smoke and flames. They rescued several occupants while suppressing the fire. Five firefighters have been transported to local and regional hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
Altogether, there were approximately 50 firefighters on the scene, including 30 off-duty personnel, with the incident classified as a five-alarm fire—the highest level of response for many fire departments.
“Tragically, several occupants were declared deceased at the scene. Many more were transported to local and regional hospitals in varying conditions,” the report said.
Leo Johnson, 45, of Fall River, told The Boston Globe he rushed to the premises in search of his 68-year-old mother, who lives on the top floor of Gabriel House.
“I was kind of freaking out because she wasn’t one of the ones outside,” he said.
He eventually found her, saying she was outside, soaking wet because the sprinklers had turned on.
Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he was watching TV when he heard the wave of sirens and fire crews responding to the fire.
He said he saw officials pulling bodies and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns as they desperately tried to help those in need.
“There were people in wheelchairs, a lot of people missing limbs, it was terrible,” he said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
More information is expected later in the day, according to a Facebook post published around 6 a.m. on July 14 by the fire department.
A notification center for families has been set up at the chapel of St. Anne’s Hospital. People seeking information regarding the facility’s residents can call 508-674-5741 or use the Emergency Room entrance to access the center.
