9 dead, 30+ hospitalized in Massachusetts assisted living facility fire

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — Nine people have died and one person remains in critical condition after a five-alarm fire broke out at an assisted living facility in Massachusetts on Sunday night.

"We had an unspeakable tragedy here in Fall River last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims," Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey responded to the fire and said an investigation into the fire is already underway.

"The fire at Gabriel House in Fall River is a tragedy. My heart goes out to those who are waking up to the most horrific news imaginable about their loved ones this morning. I’m grateful to the firefighters and first responders whose heroic efforts saved lives," she said. "We are all praying for those who lost loved ones and for the full recovery of those who were injured. I’ve expressed my condolences to Mayor Coogan and offered the full assistance of the state."

Crews responding to the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Oliver Street in Fall River just before 10 p.m. found heavy flames and smoke with multiple people trapped inside.

Several occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, at least a dozen people were rescued by ladders, and more than 30 people were transported to area hospitals with various injuries, according to Bacon.

Five firefighters were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries and have all been released.

"Smoke is the most dangerous part of any fire. It's the most damaging part of any fire and smoke kills more people than fire does every day in America," Bacon said. "Listen to your smoke detectors and react because smoke is a very deadly force."

About 70 people lived at the facility before the fire. An area has been set up at the chapel of St. Anne's Hospital for families to reunite with their loved ones, or they can call (508) 674-5741 for information.

"We're asking for anybody who needs to go there to try to find their loved ones to enter through the emergency room and we're going to do our best to get everybody reunited," Bacon said.

The building is now clear, and Bacon said they are working to turn it over to the building owner.

Mayor Paul Coogan said one of the issues they are now facing is getting the residents their medicine.

"When they were evacuated, they had nothing," Coogan explained. "We have people at our stores right now buying underwear, T-shirts, clothing, there's a place [at the shelter] for them to shower, so we are going to do our best to support them all day."

Bacon told NewsNation affiliate WPRI that at around 8 a.m. that they were able to salvage the records room, so all patient information containing medical records is now being moved to help those who lived there get what they need.

Coogan then praised the first responders who responded to what they are calling a "chaotic scene."

"These guys are top shelf. When they get down there into a situation where they have to fight, they're willing to fight, and they did a great job doing whatever they could to save as many residents as possible, get the injured out," Coogan said.

About 50 firefighters responded to the scene, including 30 who were off duty.

"We have a very strong and powerful public safety presence here in the city of Fall River, and it worked the way it was supposed to, to save lives," Bacon said.

"Everyone thinks firefighters are heroes, and they are just designed to be able to deal with anything, but that's not the case," Bacon continued. "I am a strong advocate for mental health support, and I would say that for anybody who was at this scene last night, to seek the help that you need to deal with the tragic situation like this. Nobody is programmed to deal with this."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Coogan said the building was equipped with sprinklers.