(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Fall River – Nine people died and 30 people were injured in a fire at the Gabriel House Residential Center on July 13, according to Jeffrey Bacon, Chief of Fall River Fire.
Bacon said the Fall River Fire Department’s crews responded to the fire around 9.30, Sunday, July 13, when the crews arrived at the scene, they saw a lot of fire and many people hanging through the windows to be saved. He said several people were saved from the apartment and transported to local hospitals for treatment.
“The windows that would have impacted the best rescue equipment and contained ACS, so rescue had to be done through smaller windows,” Bacon said. “I would dare to guess … that last night there was more rescue from this building than it was in 23 years that I was a firefighter.”
The scene was still a chaotic Monday morning on the narrow South End Street, where firefighters and law enforcement officers were swimming from it, showing that scandalous features were shown at its main entrance. The sounding of the building was air conditioning, many pushed out the windows and thrown into the ground.
What do we know about the cause and checks of the fire
From 10:45 a morning, the cause of the fire was still unknown, although the Bacon said the Marshal of the Fire had exactly determined where it started. Bacon said there are “several” oxygen reservoirs inside the building, commonly used for the elderly and the risk of fire – but Bacon said they were “low in fire.”
It remains unknown whether Gabriel House had and followed the evacuation plan. The owner Dennis Etzkorn has not yet talked to the media.
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said Gabriel House and all city nursing institutions are in the city health and safety inspection .Coogan said there are tenants who have often health problems. We know this building. We know it well. We work with employees and management to try to make sure they need help, we are for them. ‘
A/C units caused firefighters’ struggle
Bacon said the number of windows AC blocks made it difficult to rescue.
More than half of the building should be evacuated through windows or through the door. Many have been physically implemented due to mobility problems.
The aggravation of the fire investigation scene was the need for security – for most residents with prescription drugs, and the scene is still chaotic when a lot of windows are open, Bacon said it could be an enticing thieves target. “Within an hour, all medicines will be removed from this building,” Bacon said. “This building will have no importance to anyone in an hour.”
Are there funds to help residents and their families
Firefighters Wives Association, Inc. Sharron Schoonover said no one was seeking help from Monday at 8:30, but she plans to “determine something” for the victims’ families affected by the fire. She drew attention to St. Anna Hospital Chapel, which can be reached at a number 508-674-5741 for those looking for information or support.
According to a press release from the Fall River Fire Department, the chapel can be accessed through the emergency department.
What did Fall River mayor Paul Coogan said
Mayor Paul Coogan, who said he was on stage until Sunday morning 1 o’clock in the morning, returned to the object on Monday to report the damage. He said the building owner Dennis Etzkorn was on stage .Coogan said Etzkorn was cooperating and entering the building.
Coogan said his main concern was tenants. The evacuts were taken to the Timao Center Bay Street, the city’s homeless overflow shelter, where their immediate needs were met.
“We want to make sure they are in a safe place that could meet their medical needs as soon as possible,” Coogan said.
Rob Rob Nemkovich, Fall River Police Department and Fire Service Chaplain, said he was with evacuation from 5 p.m. Monday morning.
He said he and Pastor Tom Mello, director of the Timao Center, worked on tenants of catering, clothing and treatment, saying that there are about 30 people in the center, although the “number fluctuates”.
“It’s a difficult mood inside,” said Nemkovich.
Can residents get medication?
Bacon said all Hosid Living Facility medical records were on paper file folders. “We just made a bunch of medical records,” Bacon said. “The room where they were stored were saved, so we managed to take off all those records so they could get medication for all the people moved.”
Massachusetts Government Head Maura Healey’s permissions statement on Fall River Fire
“Fire in Gabriel’s house Fall River is a tragedy,” Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, said in a written statement. “My heart goes out for those who wake up this morning to the most terrible news about my loved ones. I am grateful to the firefighters and the first responding people whose heroic efforts have saved lives.
“We all pray for those who have lost their loved ones and for the full recovery of the injured. I expressed my condolences to the mayor Coogan and offered all state aid. All the study is already underway. I know that Fall River people are strong and resistance,
Healey also repeated the Family Association Center at the Saint Anna Hospital Chapel. They ask that everyone who is looking for information about a loved one should enter the hospital emergency department. They can also call 508-674-5741 to get information.
How many people live in Gabriel’s home
At the southern end of the city there were 70 apartment complex residents located in 261 Oliverio str. At South Main Street.
Where were the evacuated population
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said the city opened a Timao center shelter Bay Street and that the evacuated residents were sent to the shelter in the evening.
Where is the center of union
The Fire Service founded the Family Association Center in Saint Anna Hospital in the Chapel. They ask that everyone who is looking for information about a loved one should enter the hospital emergency department. They can also call 508-674-5741 to get information.
Fire crews were at the scene at the fire at the Gabriel House Residential Center, 261 Oliver St, Fall River, 2025. July 13th.
What do we know about the reply of the fire service
Bacon said about 50 firefighters responded to a multimedia signal fire and that reciprocal assistance was invited to cover the station.
“The fire attack was very fast, it was just a very fog fire,” Bacon said.
The fire fell into five alarms, attracting about 50 firefighters to the scene of the incident, including about 30, which were not on -duty, according to Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Bureau
“Our hearts go out for all the injured families and people here and have lost their lives here,” Bacon said.
Fire crews were at the scene at the fire at the Gabriel House Residential Center, 261 Oliver St, Fall River, 2025. July 13th.
Who investigates the fire
Bacon said the investigators of the FRFD and the State Fire Marshal Service were investigating the cause of the fire at the scene. Since Monday morning, the building remained killed in a fire.
In addition to those organizations, both the State Police, which was appointed to the Service of the State Fire Marshal and the State Police, was appointed to the office of Bristol DA.
They are assisted by officers from the Department of Fire Services.
Coogan praised the efforts of the fire and police departments, and the ambulance help in response to a fire.
This article initially appeared in Herald News: Fall River Fire Gabriel House Hoseded Living was fatal: alive