Nine people have died in a fire at an assisted living facility in Massachusetts, where people were hanging out of windows screaming for help, authorities said on Monday.
Firefighters responded to the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River at about 9:50 p.m. on Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and flames at the front of the building, with residents trapped inside, the state Department of Fire Services said in a news release.
The facility had 69 residents, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said, according to The Boston Globe.
“This is an unfathomable tragedy for the families involved and the Fall River community,” Chief Jeffrey Bacon said at a news conference, adding that “multiple people were hanging out the windows looking to be rescued.”
“This isn’t what we’re designed to do here,” Bacon continued as the community mourns the nine lives lost.
“We’re here to save lives, and any time that any life is lost, a single life that’s lost is a tragedy in our minds, it’s a failure of our job. We know that there are forces beyond our control, and things like this unfortunately happen. It still makes it difficult to talk about and to think about and to fathom, really, for anybody.”
About 50 firefighters responded, including 30 who were off-duty, and pulled dozens from the blaze.
More than 30 people were transported to local and regional hospital, and at least 12 people were rescued over ladders, the fire department confirmed. At least one person remained in critical condition Monday morning.
Five firefighters suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, the statement said.
Family members who showed up said police were trying to break windows. Leo Johnson, 45, of Fall River, told The Globe he rushed over to find his 68-year-old mother, who lives on the top floor of Gabriel House.
"I was kinda 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 were going off.
The Fall River Police Department in a statement said that "without hesitation, officers entered the smoke-filled facility, breaking down doors and escorting residents to safety.”
“Approximately a dozen non-ambulatory residents were physically carried out by our officers. Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives,” they added.
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation, state and local authorities said.
Fall River, which has about 94,000 people, is about 20 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said she has offered the full assistance of the state as the cause of the fire is under investigation, WHDH reported.
“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,” Healey said.
“A full investigation is already underway. I know the people of Fall River are strong and resilience, and now is the time for us to all come together to support one another through this terrible tragedy.”
“I don’t think we’ve ever faced something like this,” Coogan added. “It’s a bit much.”
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