Fall River, Massachusetts (WWLP) – Nine people have been killed and at least 30 people were injured in a fire at a Massachusetts support facility on Sunday.
The fire broke out at the Gabriel House Assist Living Facility in Fall River around 9:50pm when crews arrived, causing violent smoke to come out of the front of the building, trapping people.
Firefighters were able to save many residents while fighting the fire by Monday morning. Approximately 70 people live in the house.
“This is an immeasurable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Prime Minister Jeffrey Bacon said. “On behalf of the Fall River Fire Station, I would like to express my sincere sadness to my loved ones this morning.”
He told reporters that he was “wandering through the window where he was about to be rescued.” The family members showed up and said police were trying to break the window.
Firefighters gather outside the Gabriel House Assist Living Facility in Fall River, Massachusetts after the fire broke out Sunday night. (WPRI)
“Unreluctantly, officers entered the smoke-filled facility, broke doors and escorted residents safely,” the Fall River Police Department said in a statement.
“Around 12 non-American residents were physically carried out by our officers. Their courage and prompt actions definitely saved many lives.”
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Several residents of the facility were taken to local and local hospitals. Five firefighters were taken away for minor injuries.
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said one of the problems they face is getting residents the medicines they need, Nexstar’s WPRI reported.
“When they evacuated, they had nothing,” Coogan told WPRI. “We have people in our store currently buying underwear, t-shirts and clothing. [at the shelter] We will do our best to support them all day long so they can shower. ”
Bacon told WPRI Monday morning that all patient information, including medical records, was being moved as the facility’s records room was recovered.
Coogan, who described the scene as “chaotic,” praised his first counterpart.
“These people are the number one shelf,” he told WPRI. “When they got there in a situation where they had to fight, they were willing to fight, and they did everything they could to save as many residents as possible and they got injured.”
About 50 firefighters responded, including those that 30 were rejected.
“We have a very strong and powerful public safety presence here in Fall River, and it worked in the way it was supposed to be, to save lives,” Bacon told WPRI.
“Everyone thinks firefighters are heroes and they are designed to deal with anything, but that’s not the case,” he continued. “I am a strong advocate for mental health support and for those who were in this scene last night, no one is programmed to deal with this in order to seek the help they need to deal with such a tragic situation.”
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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy issued a statement, stating sadness and providing support.
“The fire at Gabriel House in Fall River is a tragedy. My heart is directed at people awakening to the most horrifying news I can imagine about my loved one this morning,” Healy said. “I am grateful to the firefighters and first responders whose heroic efforts saved lives. We all pray for the full recovery of those who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured.
“I expressed sadness to Mayor Coogan and provided full support for the state. A full investigation is already underway,” continued Healy. “We know that the people of Fall River are strong and resilient, and now it’s time for us all to come together and support each other through this terrible tragedy.”
The cause of the fire is being investigated by Fall River Fire Station, Fall River Police, State Police, State Police assigned to the office of the State Fire Former S, and State Police assigned to the office of Bristol DA. Coogan told WPRI that the building is equipped with sprinklers.
A family notification centre has been set up in the Chapel of St. Anne Hospital, and families seeking information about their residents can call 508-674-5741.
With a population of about 94,000, Fall River is located about 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.
Melanie Dasilva, Raymond Baccari, Ethan Logue, Lauren Brill, Joe Cortese, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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